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Dear Parent/Carer,
I am writing to you to share information about the planned teacher strikes over the next couple of months. As you may know from the national media, the National Education Union (NEU) has announced strike action in the North West and England on the following dates: 1 February; 28 February; and 15 and 16 March 2023. This is not action against the school but is about concerns over teachers’ pay and the overall funding for schools, which is damaging to every child’s education and leading to challenges recruiting and retaining school staff. These issues affect MHS as much as they do all schools.
I am writing to share the school’s plans, so far, for operating safely and sensibly on the first strike day of Wednesday, 1 February. As a headteacher I have carefully considered all the information I have available for our school and whether I can open school safely either to some or all of our children. What follows is the description of how we will be operating on February 1st. The position for each school will be different so our arrangements may well differ from those of other schools.
Please be assured that there is a full risk assessment in place which looks at contingency plans for the school.
In our school the arrangements will be as follows:
1) The school will be closed to students in years 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Remote learning will not be available on the day of the strike. The school will provide some suggested work that students can complete independently via satchel one, and we encourage all learners to spend some time reading. Reading is hugely beneficial to all learners and we recommend learners take the opportunity to read. All of our students can access over 1250 ebooks and 500 audio books free on our ‘Hub online’ which is accessed via the school website.
2) The school will be fully open to all students in year 11.
The whole year group has two trial exams that day, and we are confident we can safely supervise the students who may have no teacher for the lessons in between. Students should attend as normal in full school uniform, and should bring suitable revision materials in case they have a lesson with no direct teaching.
Whilst the plans may change right up to the day of the strike itself, we are very confident we can manage the plan below even if more than expected staff are absent.
We will be able to provide accommodation for the most vulnerable learners on the day of the strike. If you believe that your child meets this criteria and wish to book a place, then please follow the link here. *Updated 31-1-2023: the deadline for requesting a place has now passed*
Students will attend normal lessons where their teacher is in school, and will be supervised to do independent work where their teacher is absent.
Also, the parents of any child who normally receives a benefits-related Free School Meal, who will not be in school on 1st February, should also follow this link and complete the final question of the form if a meal is required. These meals will be available for collection before the end of the day on Tuesday 31st January from Bradshaw canteen. Only pre-booked meals, via the form, will be available. *Updated 31-1-2023: the deadline for requesting a meal has now passed*
As arrangements can only be provisional at this stage, any further changes will be communicated via the edulink app and posted on the ‘news’ section of the school website.
We will of course be re-visiting our plans as we approach the second day of strike action. I will continue to keep you informed about future decisions.
I thank you for your patience and understanding.
Best wishes,
Joe Barker
Headteacher