25 January 2023
Dear Parents and Carers,
You may be aware from media coverage that the NEU union have declared strike action, with the first of these taking place on Wednesday 1st February 2023. The strike is happening because of a national dispute between the unions and the government over teachers’ pay and conditions and not because of any issues at our school.
Due to the impact this will have on the number of staff who will be in school on this day, I am writing to inform you that SJP will be closed to all pupils in year groups 7-11. Please do not send your child into school on this day. We will, however, remain open to all pupils in Key Stage 5 (Y12/13).
For children who receive free school meals a grab bag will be provided for them to take home on Tuesday 31st January 2023.
Those pupils in year 11 with an ICT BTEC examination on Wednesday 1st February should attend school at 08:35 as normal, ready for their exam which begins at 9am. Students should enter school via the main reception entrance where they will be met by staff and registered. Students will be dismissed when their exam finishes.
We have not taken this decision lightly. We remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our pupils, and feel that we would be unable to provide this with the staff we have available.
In order to minimise the disruption to children’s education, general work will be set on Google Classroom for years 7 to 11. Additional work will also be provided in year group classrooms for pupils to complete to support their learning. Further support and information can be accessed here on how to access work on Google Classroom.
We are working closely with our staff union representatives to keep up to date with the situation, and I will inform you as soon as possible if arrangements change further and of the arrangements for future strike dates which at the moment have been identified as taking place on:
- Wednesday 1 February - all England
- Tuesday 28 February – Northern, North West, Yorkshire & the Humber regions
- Wednesday 15 March – all England
- Thursday 16 March – all England.
As a consequence, you will have to make alternative arrangements for your child. I understand that this may cause disruption, but ask that all members of our school community continue to treat each other with respect.
Kind regards,
Mrs E Wheeler Mr P McLoughlin
Executive Headteacher Interim Head of School