20th April, 2023
Dear Parents/Carers
Notification of strike action/closure/partial closure on Thursday 27th April and Tuesday 2nd May 2023
We have been informed by the NEU Trade Union that there will be a day of strike action by their teacher members on Thursday 27th April and Tuesday 2nd May 2023. The dispute is with the Secretary of State for Education with regards to the NEU’s view that there has been a ‘Failure to provide a fully funded above-inflation pay rise (as measured by September 2022 RPI). A fully funded pay rise is one that is funded by additional resources sufficient to provide the above-inflation pay rise’ (NEU).
As Headteacher, I have assessed the impact of the strike action on the school and have decided that the school will only be open for Years 11, 13 and any student with an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) who is looked after (CLA), or is subject to a Child in Need Plan or a Child Protection plan. The school will be contacting parents of EHCP, CIN and CLA students directly to discuss provision and options for attending for those students listed above for Thursday, 27th April and Tuesday, 2nd May, 2023. School will commence at 8.55am.
Year 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 students – Will remain at home. Whilst at home on these days, we encourage our students to complete independent study. This will enable them to continue to strengthen their core knowledge and understanding of the topics that they are learning in school. In order to support with this, students can access the learning sites (attached to this letter) to : Review and extend prior learning Prepare for upcoming learning that will be taking place in school Revise and prepare for upcoming assessments and exams Complete homelearning tasks
If your child is in receipt of free school meals and are not attending on the strike day, they may request a ‘packed lunch’ to be collected from the school reception at 12 noon on the strike days, i.e. Thursday, 27th April and Tuesday, 2nd May, 2023. In order to ensure that your child receives their lunch and that there is no waste, please confirm your details by emailing generaloffice@bishopstopfords.enfield.sch.uk by noon Tuesday, 25th April, 2023.
This decision has not been taken lightly and we regret having to partially close the school, but have done this to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all pupils.
Our sincere apologies for the difficulties that these arrangements will cause parents/carers but unfortunately these are circumstances beyond our control.
The school will open as normal on Friday 28th April and then from Weds 3rd May 2023.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs T Day, BA (Hons), NPQH Headteacher
