You may be aware from recent media coverage, one of the main teaching unions, the National Education Union (NEU), has announced an intention to strike. A number of planned strike dates have been published, four of which are applicable to staff and students at the Academy:

 

 

 

Strike action could potentially disrupt the normal running of our school on these days. Although discussions are ongoing at government level in an attempt to avert strike action, we wanted to notify of you of the potential strike dates in advance of the first planned day of action.

 

This action is not against the school itself but is part of national industrial action. There is no requirement on unions to inform us which members of staff intend to take action, and it may be that the unions will not know themselves as there is no obligation on their members to act upon a strike call.  Furthermore, teachers who attend school cannot be directed to undertake the work of colleagues taking strike action.

 

In the event of strike action, we would like to reassure you that we will take all reasonable steps to remain open for as many students as possible. However, this may not always be possible due to concerns regarding the capacity to provide adequate levels of supervision. The amount of available information in ensuring that staff and students are not exposed to risks to their health and safety is a key consideration.

 

We are currently looking at contingency plans to minimise the impact of any action, and a number of options are being considered. We will provide further information to you if arrangements will impact your child.

 

Update 27th January 2023

A letter from the CEO of SNMAT, Chris Moodie, has been sent to all parents with further information regarding school closure to specified year groups, this letter can be found here

 

Update 23rd February 2023

Year 9

As previously communicated, unfortunately due to the planned teaching unions strike action next week on Wednesday 1st March, the academy will unfortunately be closed to students in Year 9 on this day. It is unlikely that we will be able to provide any Teams lessons for students but they should complete any homework and tasks set and already made available by their teachers wherever possible. BBC Bitesize is also a good place for students to go over topics they have already studied this year.

A small number of students from these year groups will be invited into school due to their personal circumstances. You will be contacted about this if your child is in this group. If your child receives free school meals they will be able to collect a packed lunch from the restaurant when they leave school the day the before (Tuesday 28^th February at 2.35pm). Please rest assured that this has happened as a last resort and we will keep the situation under review to keep as many students in school as possible on later strike days.

 

Years 7, 8 & 11

Polite reminder, due to the planned teaching unions strike action next week on Wednesday 1^st March, Period 6 activities, detentions and isolations will not take place for any year group on this day. Your child should attend school as normal on this day but please note they will finish school at their usual time.

 

Year 10

As previously communicated, planned teaching union strike action will take place next week on Wednesday 1^st March. We have reviewed the impact following the first day of action which took place on 1^st February and can confirm that next Wednesday we will be open to Year 10 students and they should attend as normal.  Please note that Period 6 activities, detentions and isolations will not take place for any year group on this day and your child will therefore finish school at their usual time.

 

Updated 10th March 2023

We are pleased to inform you that the next two planned strike days, Wed 15 and Thurs 16 March, we will be open to all year groups as normal. However Period 6, detentions and isolations will not take place for any year group. Your child will therefore finish school at their usual time.

 

Updated 21st April 2023

We are pleased to inform you that the next two planned strike days, Thurs 27^th and Tues 2^nd May, we will be open to all year groups as normal. However Period 6, detentions and isolations will not take place for any year group. Your child will therefore finish school at their usual time.

 

Updated 28th June 2023

We are pleased to inform you that the next two planned strike days, Weds 5^th and Fri 7^th July, we will be open to all year groups as normal. However Period 6, detentions and isolations will not take place for any year group. Your child will therefore finish school at their usual time.