Dear Parent/Carer

Industrial Action: Update

As you may or may not be aware the four main teaching unions have rejected the government’s latest pay offer and, as a result, we have had confirmation from the NEU that its members intend to take further industrial action by participating in two further days of strikes which will take place on Thursday 27 April 2023 and Tuesday 2 May 2023.

The strike action is in relation to the ongoing national dispute around school funding and teacher and school staff pay.

What will happen at Beckfoot school on Thursday 27 April 2023 and Tuesday 2 May 2023:

• Due to the numbers of staff involved in the industrial dispute, I have taken the decision to partially close the school.
• We will remain open for vulnerable students who have already been identified and contacted about coming into school.
• We will remain open for students in Years 11 and 13 who are due to participate in public examinations or formal assessments in the summer of 2023.
• We will be open on Thursday 27 April 2023 for Year 10 to come and sit their morning mock exam for Maths and then leave site when they have finished. The latest time this would be is 10:45am.
• We will also be open on Thursday 27 April 2023 throughout the day for the morning and after mock exam sessions for Year 12 students. These students can only be on site for the times of their exams.
• For all other students in Years 7, 8, 9, and for Year 10 (after 10:45am on Thursday 27 April 2023) we will expect them to work from home using SENECA Learning. This work will be set on Class Charts. For students in Year 12 we will expect students to use this time for their '5 hours in' study.

Once again, I appreciate that my decision may be disruptive to families, for which I apologise. I hope that you understand these decisions are not taken lightly and are to secure the health and safety of all students and any non-striking colleagues in consideration of anticipated reduced numbers of staffing.

A copy of the updated exam/assessment timetable for w/c 24 April 2023, can be found here. 

As previously done, if you child receives Free School Meals (FSM), we will automatically provide them with their grab bag meal the day before. If your child does not want to pick up their grab bag meal the day before, please click here. 

Best wishes.

Simon Wade, Headteacher

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