29th November 2011

Dear Parent/Carer

Re: Important Update on Industrial Action, Wednesday 30th November 2011

The decision has been made that the academy will not be open to students on Wednesday 30th November 2011. Staff who do not opt to follow this day of action will be working to prepare materials and assessment to continue the students learning when they are back in the academy.

As you are aware we have been informed by the following unions: NAHT, ATL, NUT, Unison, GMB, NASUWT that they will be taking industrial action in the form of a strike on Wednesday 30th November 2011.

This action is not against the academy itself but is part of national industrial action organised by these trades unions about changes to the pensions schemes of their members.

There is no requirement on unions to inform us of which members of staff will take action, and it may be that they will not know themselves as there is no obligation on members of unions to obey a strike call.

Neither the Governing Body nor the Principal is legally allowed to close the academy ‘in sympathy’ with the strike and we are not doing so. However, our main concern is the safety of our students. The academy will be closed because in the opinion of the Principal and the Chair of the Governing Body it is not safe to remain open and if we cannot provide a meaningful programme of study.

Having been given an indication of the staff numbers likely to be involved, it appears that all students and staff will be affected by this day of action as we will not be able to open the academy buildings to provide lessons or have suitable arrangements for health and safety or food.

We must all hope that the issues over which the industrial action has arisen are resolved as soon as possible.

Yours Sincerely

Mrs B King                                                                                                                                 Rev. B Duckworth

Principal                                                                                                                                    Chair of Governors

28th November 2011

Dear Parents / Carers

We have been informed by The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), Teachers Union (NASUWT), National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) as well as GMB Union and Unison that they will be taking “industrial action in the form of a strike” on Wednesday 30th November 2011.

This action is not against the Academy itself, but is part of national industrial action organised by these trade unions about changes to the pension schemes of their members.

The decision has been taken to keep the Academy partially open. Students will be expected to attend as normal and be prepared for their lessons and supervised private study.

We may not know until very late how many staff will be available to work, the decision to close may have to be taken at the last minute. Every effort will be made to give notice at the latest by Tuesday 29th November 2011; but in case the decision has to be made on the day itself, we are asking parents / carers to nominate a place of safety, which may be your home, to which your child can go to if we have to close.

On the day itself, the only exceptions to these arrangements, at this moment in time, are that the following teaching groups (English Set) should remain at home:

7 Alpha1, 7 Alpha2, 7 B2, 9 Alpha2, 9 A1, 9 A2 and 9 B2.

All the latest news will be on the Academy Website.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely

Mrs B King

Principal