Union Action
Dear Parents/Carers,
You may be aware from media coverage that the teaching union, NEU (teachers), has declared strike action which will take place on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March 2023. The strike is happening as the NEU is in dispute with the Secretary of State for Education because she has failed to make available additional and sufficient funds to allow employers to pay a fully funded increase in teachers pay at a rate greater than inflation. This is a national dispute between the unions and the government, and not because of any issues at our school.
I am writing to you to give you as much notice as possible that learning may be disrupted on this date. We are considering several options, including providing home learning packs and closing the school.
Teachers are under no obligation to inform us of their intent to strike so we may not know until the mornings of Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March 2023 if we need to close your childrens class for the day.
We recommend that you start to make alternative childcare arrangements for this date.
In the event your child is not able to be at school due to their teacher striking, we will text you on the mornings of Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March 2023to inform you not to bring them to school. Included in this text will be a link to a form where you can let school know if you require a packed lunch for your child if they are in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 or are in receipt of a free school meal. This meal will need to be collected from school and details will follow on the day.
We are sorry about the potential disruption to you and to your childrens education. I understand that this situation may be frustrating and ask that all members of our school community continue to treat each other with respect. Prince Albert Community Trust remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our pupils and delivering high-quality teaching.
We are working closely with our staff union representatives to keep up to date with the situation and we will inform you of the final arrangements as soon as possible. We will keep you updated by text message.
If you have any questions, please speak to a member of the team.
Best wishes,
Mrs Z Thewlis
Head of School