Further update on Industrial Action - Tuesday 28th February

17th February 2023

17th February 2023

Dear Parents/Carers

IMPORTANT: Re: Strike Action (National Education Union) – Tuesday 28th February 2023

Following the recent letter, I am now writing with further information about the proposed strike action and the impact on our school. As you know, the NEU has declared strike action nationally on Wednesday 15 March and Thursday 16 March 2023. Regional strike action is also planned, and the date scheduled for strike action in our region is Tuesday 28 February 2023. I am writing to give you as much notice as possible of the likely impact of this action.

Please note, the arrangements in this letter apply to Tuesday 28th February only at this stage. You will receive further guidance regarding subsequent dates.

While the planned action is as a result of a national dispute between the unions and the government, and not because of any issues with the school or Newcastle City Council, it is important that we respond accordingly. The senior leadership team has been working closely with staff in order to plan for the strike action.

At this stage, we understand that on 28th February that our Year 5 class will be closed for the day and all other classes will remain open. Children in Year 5 should not attend school on Tuesday 28th February.

The safety of our children remains our priority during this time.

Hot meals will be provided as normal for those children attending school – for those children whose class will be closed, we will issue a supermarket voucher to the value of £3 per child to cover the cost of a lunch on that day. Vouchers will be sent to parents of those children via a text message and/or email (please ensure we have your most up to date contact details).

During the period of strike action children can still get access to the various online learning platforms that we use in school, including Lexia and Times Table Rockstars.

I apologise for the need to make changes to the school day and for any inconvenience this may cause.

It appears unlikely that the proposed strike action will be averted, but if this were to happen, I will write to you to confirm that the full school will be open as usual.

Yours sincerely

Mr. C Heeley

Headteacher