19 April 2023
Industrial Action
There are two further days of Industrial Action on Thursday 27 April and Tuesday 2 May and I have been consulting with our staff union representatives about this. There is no requirement for staff members to inform me in advance if they will be taking action on these days. Following our risk assessment analysis and modelling, together with the assumption that similar numbers of staff who took strike action on previous occasions will do so again, then we will not be able to keep the College fully open. I have therefore made the decision that we will again need a partial closure but that we will be able to accommodate three year groups safely, prioritising Year 11, 12 and 13 over these two days.
Year 11 and Sixth Form students are still to attend College as outlined on Page 3 and they will follow their Wednesday Week 2 timetable on 27 April and their normal timetabled lessons on Tuesday 2 May. My decision is based on feedback from staff regarding students in Options who have been disproportionately affected by the loss of curriculum time and a change to the timetable will further support the exam preparation for Option E students. During these days timetabled examinations for GCSE Languages (*Chinese and Spanish), GCSE Art Textiles and ‘A’ level Photography will go ahead as planned and students involved in these will have already received the details. Also, there will be opportunities for selected students to complete their coursework in some subjects and students will have received details about this from their teachers. However, striking staff do not have to set work in their absence so students will be encouraged to bring independent learning materials with them to College on this day so they can make a productive use of the time in such lessons. All coaches will be running as normal as will catering facilities.
Year Groups to Attend College on Thursday 27 April (following Wednesday Week 2 timetable)
- Year 10 * (only the 6 students doing their Chinese oral exam)
- Year 11
- Year 12
- Year 13.
Year Groups to Attend College on Tuesday 2 May (normal timetable will be followed)
- Year 11
- Year 12
- Year 13.
Year Groups to Remain at Home on Thursday 27 April
- Year 7
- Year 8
- Year 9
- Year 10.
Year Groups to Remain at Home on Tuesday 2 May
- Year 7
- Year 8
- Year 9
- Year 10.
For Years 7-10, work will be provided via OneNote in some cases but there will be no live lessons. Given the significant number of NEU members of staff, please expect such provision to be very limited, however we will guide the students to generic work on these days to support their learning and future revision. An Edulink message will be sent to all students next week.
Again, like on previous occasions and subject to capacity, we will endeavour to accommodate vulnerable students and children of critical workers on site. For us to assess demand, parents/carers of vulnerable students and those who are critical workers, are asked to click on the link below and complete the Microsoft Form by no later than midday on Tuesday 25 April 2023 if they are interested in utilising the on-site provision.
Industrial Action Provision - Microsoft Form
For students who are entitled to receive free school meals, lunch can be made available for them in College on both days. Please click the link above and complete the relevant section if your child will come into College for lunch.
I am sorry that you have had to make alternative arrangements for Thursday 27 April and Tuesday 2 May and I would like to reassure you that I have not taken these decisions lightly, but the health, safety and welfare of students and staff are of paramount importance to me. I am sure you understand the situation we are in, and I would again like to thank you in advance for your support.
Timetable Change
For your information I have changed the timetable for next week as below:
| Date | Who | Timetable |
| 26 April | All College | Thursday Week 2 |
| 27 April | Years 11, 12 and 13 | Wednesday Week 2 |
| 2 May | Years 11, 12 and 13 | Tuesday Week 1 |