Dear Parents and Carers,
As an update to our provisional planning for the strike day, which takes place on Tuesday 2nd May 2023, we've been informed by the school NEU union representative that the number of striking teachers on this day is likely to be greater than we initially thought (and greater than the previous strike days, which have been significant each time). As we've mentioned before, we are required to assess whether we can safely open if a number of colleagues are not present. Approximately 53% of our teaching staff are in the NEU and have been asked to observe this action by their union, and the suggestion by the NEU union representative for the school is that a significant number will (colleagues continue not to be required by law to give pre-warning of their individual decision to strike).
Given this level of potential absence, we have risk assessed according to all usual processes for doing so and concluded that we are unable to safely cover the site and normal lessons with that number of staff out. We have therefore made a series of plans for the industrial action taking place, to provide an educational plan that will work and be safe, but that will also provide some variety of experience for as many students as possible across the day.
Key Details
Tuesday 2nd May 2023 - Year 11 invited to attend between 9.30am and 13.50pm
Year 11 are, as with the previous strike days, invited to attend school from 9.30am – 13.50pm. They will receive their normal lessons, and during any lessons where their teacher is striking, we will provide a combination of useful assessment practice / revision opportunities including time for private study. It is important Year 11 come prepared with their own personal revision work, to be conducted during times when their normal teachers are unavailable due to the strike. This should include revision guides and resources for GCSE subjects.
*Year 10 BTEC dancers will also be invited in for specific c/w. Mrs Smith would have emailed specifics about this.
There will be two scheduled breaks for Year 11, where students can eat and relax as usual, and where lunches for those eligible for FSM will be available.
Years 7/8/9/10 will be invited to attend a mixture of FROG pre-assigned work, pre-recorded Teams lessons or live Teams lessons at home, with vulnerable children and those you identify to us as unable to work from home being welcomed in school alongside Year 11. You can inform us of the need for your child to be with us, if there is no safe alternative, via our online form (click here).
The visual for these days can be seen below (02/05/2023):
*Year 11 to leave site by 13.50pm
We understand that no model to cover a day interrupted by industrial action is ideal and the imperfections you spot about this one, we will undoubtedly share: our motivation for this pattern for the days, though, is to endeavour to give those closest to their exams greater in person structure for their days this time, whilst also maintaining an online offer for the remaining year groups. Any disruption is less than ideal, but hopefully the plan implemented, reduces the impact as much as possible for those students whose exams and formal assessment are closest.
As stated at the beginning of the letter, if a settlement is reached, and the industrial action is no longer taking place, the school will revert to its normal pattern for the day on each occasion.
If anyone has any questions or comments about their individual child(ren) about the plans above, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@noadswood.hants.sch.uk and one of us will be delighted to get back to you.
With our thanks again for your continued support around these recent alterations to the usual run of things,
Kathryn Marshall and the Noadswood Leadership Team