Following the decision by the largest teachers’ union, the Nation Education Union (NEU), to take strike action on Wednesday 1^st February the school will be closed to students in Years 7 to 11.. 

 

Inevitably, industrial action generates strong opinions, especially when children are affected. The industrial action is part of a national dispute between the teaching unions and the Government, and not linked specifically to Pershore High School. A striking colleague’s decision will have been a very difficult one, particularly given their ongoing dedication to your child’s education and welfare.  A significant proportion of teachers at Pershore are members of the NEU and it is important that you are aware that the normal school day will be disrupted next Wednesday. 

 

You may be aware that unions do not share specific information about who will be taking industrial action in advance and therefore, in order to plan for a safe and organised school environment, we have to assume that all staff in the NEU will be absent. In addition, there will be staff who are themselves affected by strike action because their child’s primary school, for example, is closing. Therefore, unfortunately, the strike will impact on the majority of students.

 

The arrangements for Wednesday 1^st February are as follows:

 

Students

 

Years 7 to 11

The school will be closed to students in Year 7 to Year 11 and they remain at home. 

We will provide access to online learning activities for each year group via epraise on Wednesday 1^st February, where possible due to staff absence.

 

Years 12 & 13

Students in Years 12 and Year 13 are expected in school as normal; there is staff capacity to manage their attendance safely.  Students should follow their usual timetable, with taught lessons where the teacher is present, and be prepared to work independently on their studies where this is not the case.  Students are required on site for the day in the usual way.

 

Vulnerable students

We have limited capacity to provide supervision at school for students that may be considered vulnerable, following the DfE guidance included in the letter sent to parents on Friday, 27 January; the students will use the facilities for their online learning activities, as those students who are at home.

 

All students attending school are not required to wear school uniform on Wednesday 1^st February.

 

Transport

School transport will be running as normal on the day.  Students attending school should arrive at their usual time and sign in at the school Reception.

 

Free School Meals and School lunches

All students attending school will have access to Pershore Kitchen as normal.  The parents/carers of students eligible for free school meals students who are not attending school will be emailed a Wonde voucher for that day.

 

There are further strikes planned for Wednesday 1^st March, Wednesday 15^th March and Thursday 16^th March.

Although subsequent strike days may have a similar impact, we will update you with arrangements specific to those dates. As ever, thank you for your forbearance in our attempt to minimise the disruption to your child’s education.

 

Best wishes,

Phil Hanson