21 April 2023
Dear Parent/Carer,
I write to give you further information regarding the National Education Union (NEU) industrial action at CHS South. This strike action is happening because of a national dispute between the Union and the Government, and not because of issues at our school.
The next planned days of action are to be held on Thursday 27th April 2023 and Tuesday 2nd May 2023. Unfortunately, on these days it will be necessary to close the school to all students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. As a result, all parents and carers will have to make alternative arrangements for the care of their children on these days. This is as a direct result of the numbers of teachers involved in industrial action and the effect of this on the school’s ability to provide safe levels of supervision for the students in our care. Students in Year 11 must attend school from 9:00am – 2:50pm to continue with preparations for their forthcoming GCSE examination series. A range of online learning opportunities are available for those students who are not able to attend school. They are detailed in the attachments with this notification. The school will reopen to all students following each day of industrial action, and will operate normal school days.
Many of our students are entitled to a free school meal. We are able to provide a hot meal for any child entitled to a free school meal on Thursday 27th April and Tuesday 2nd May 2023 between 12:20pm and 12:50pm in our Dining Room at CHS South. Unfortunately, all students who attend school for their lunch at this time will have to be sent home again at 12.50pm. Alternatively, a packed lunch can be made available for students to collect from reception as they leave school on Wednesday 26th April and on the morning of Tuesday 2nd May (as the school is closed to all students & staff on the 1st May due to the Bank Holiday). If your child is entitled to a free school meal and you wish them to either collect a packed lunch (please read the attached sandwich storage allergen information) or attend school on either day for a hot meal, please let us know your intention by 8:30am on Monday 24th April 2023 by completing the form in the link here:
https://forms.gle/jKPWzqzEHrZtPAAG8
I apologise for the disruption that these days of action will cause to yourselves and our students. As a school we have tried to limit the disruption to students’ education, however, I have based my decision on the guidance that has been issued to us regarding the safe running of the school.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. D. Prophet
Headteacher
CHS South
