Dear Parents/Carers
We have been informed by the NEU Trade Union that there will be strike action by their teacher members on Wednesday, 5th and Friday, 7th July, 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 be closed to all students with the exception of children who have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) are 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 for the strike days.
If your child is in receipt of free school meals, they may request a ‘packed lunch’ to be collected from the school reception at 12pm on the days of the strike, i.e. 5th and 7th July, 2023. In order to ensure that there is no waste, please confirm your details by emailing generaloffice@bishopstopfords.enfield.sch.uk by Monday, 3rd July, 2023 by 12 noon.
This decision to close the school has not been taken lightly, and we regret having to take this action, but feel that there will not be sufficient staff in school to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the students.
Whilst at home on this day, 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 following learning sites 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
Learning sites
https://classroom.thenational.academy/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/levels/z4kw2hv (Key Stage 3 - Year 7, 8 and 9)
https://vle.mathswatch.co.uk/vle/ (MathsWatch)
https://corbettmaths.com/5-a-day/gcse/ (Maths)
https://members.gcsepod.com/login (all subjects)
https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/# (Maths, physics, biology, chemistry, economics, geography, English, psychology, computer science)
Headteacher: Mrs T. Day BA (Hons), NPQH
Year 12 Information
Year 12 Students should use this time to:
complete their personal profiles on their UCAS applications
work on their draft personal statements
They can refer to the guidance on the following links to support them in completing this activity
https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/filling-your-ucas-undergraduate-application
https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/writing-your-personal-statement
Please note: normal school hours will resume should the NEU decide not to strike.
Our sincere apologies for the difficulties that these arrangements will cause parents/carers, but unfortunately these are circumstances beyond our control.
After the strike day on Wednesday, 5th July, the school will open as normal on Thursday, 6th July and resume once again on Monday, 10th July, following the second strike day on Friday, 7th July.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs T Day, BA (Hons), NPQH
Headteacher
