Dear Parent/Carer,
Further to my previous correspondence in February, you will be aware from media reporting in the Easter holidays that the National Education Union (NEU) is planning to continue with its industrial action. The next strike days will take place on Thursday 27th April 2023 and Tuesday 2nd May 2023 I am writing to give you as much notice as possible of the likely impact of this action on the Academy.
As per the previous strike days, this planned industrial action is as a result of a national dispute between the unions and the government, and not specifically Leigh Academies Trust or The Halley Academy. We of course respect the rights of our staff, and we will respond accordingly in the interests of our students. In anticipation of this action, it remains our intention to minimise disruption and ensure that vulnerable students and the children of key workers are still able to attend school in person.
For students in Years 7-10 and 12, they will study remotely during strike days and should continue with their learning through online lessons via their Google Classroom.
All Year 11 and 13 students should continue to attend the Academy in person on both these days in full school uniform. Extended lessons and after-school intervention sessions will continue as usual. Students will finish at 3.15pm on both Thursday 27th April, and Tuesday 2nd May. Students should arrive and depart the Academy from the Front Gate. We have decided to prioritise these year groups due to the important examinations that they are due to take place.
Vulnerable students and the children of key workers will be able to attend school as normal and will join their classmates in virtual learning under the supervision of our staff. Break and lunch times will operate as normal with our usual high standards of supervision and pastoral care. If you are a key worker please complete this Google Form to confirm that your child will be attending on this strike day. If you do not require a place for your child then they can attend virtually along with other students.
If you are a parent of a vulnerable child, we will contact you separately to confirm your child’s attendance on strike days.
If your child is in receipt of a free-school meal, you are welcome to collect a packed lunch from the Front Gate of the Academy between 12.00-1.00pm on these days.
We appreciate that industrial action is disruptive and you may need to change your plans or working arrangements whilst this action is ongoing. We will of course continue to monitor the arrangements in place and make modifications where possible to improve the academic and pastoral support for students. If the strike action is called off then we will confirm this as soon as we can and in this eventuality the school will be open as usual to all students.
If you have any questions or concerns about the alternative arrangements outlined above, please contact the academy at admin@thehalleyacademy.org.uk.
As always, thank you for your support and understanding during this time.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Russell
Interim Principal