Families will be aware that, as a country, we are approaching a period of uncertainty in education.
I mentioned a few weeks ago about the potential for strike action and impact on this Academy.
Members of the largest teaching union, the NEU, voted to strike and it has detailed seven dates for industrial action.
Four impact on this area:
- Next Wednesday, 1st February, (members on strike across England and Wales)
- Tuesday, 28th February (members on strike in the North, North West and Humber regions)
- Wednesday, 15th and Thursday, 16th March (members on strike across England and Wales)
At this point in time, teachers across this area are considering, individually, whether to join the action.
There are a number of teaching unions nationwide and, because of this, the industrial action only affects a percentage of teachers employed across the country.
What I’m unable to do today, out of respect to my staff, is absolutely guarantee anything because I do not know what decisions individual teachers have made.
But I am conscious I need to give families as much notice as possible to make their own arrangements at home in terms of child care and work.
I commit to informing our academy community by Monday morning – at the very latest – what we will be able to offer and put in place next Wednesday for all children and their families.
The decision to strike or not is not something for the Academy to be involved in. It is very much down to the individual teacher.
Uniform is another issue we have mentioned before.
Our policy has not changed in a long time and we are grateful to the majority who stick to it.
However, we sent communication to parents / carers this week referring to jewellery, particularly the wearing of nose studs, which are not allowed.
There has been a level of discussion and challenge. Parents choose schools for their children based on the framework of rules and policies in place. Ours on uniform has not changed in a long time.
If a child comes into the Academy wearing a nose stud, they will be challenged.
It is important we stick to our uniform policy and, once again, thank you to those who do so consistently.
More than 145 Year 9 children and their families have committed to attending the Parents’ Consultation Evening tonight, which is terrific.
It is the start of an important few weeks for those young people, culminating in them choosing their GCSE options. Tonight (Wednesday) starts the discussion around the progress being made and the career paths that may be open.
If you are one of the Year 9 parents who have not yet committed to attend from 4pm onwards, there is still time to confirm. We look forward to seeing everybody there.
Finally, talking of careers, the BBC will be joining us tomorrow to highlight opportunities in the media, whether in front of the camera or behind it.
Workshops will be held for Years 7 to 10, with chances to ask questions.
The visit offers a touch of certainty in an uncertain world.
