27 June 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 Wednesday 5th July 2023 & Friday 7th July 2023. Unfortunately, it will be necessary to close the school to all students in Years 7, 8, & 9 on both days. As a result, all parents and carers of students in these Years 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.
However, on both days CHS South will be open to all Year 10 students from 9:00am – 2:50pm; all students in the Year are expected to attend. On Wednesday 5th July we will focus on developing understanding in Maths, English, Science, Humanities & MFL, and on Friday 7th July we will focus on preparation for Year 11 and student wellbeing.
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 both Wednesday 5th July and Friday 7th July 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 as they leave school on Tuesday afternoon for the strike on Wednesday 5th July and a packed lunch can also be collected on Thursday 6th July in the afternoon for the strike on Friday 7th July. If your child is entitled to a free school meal and you wish them to either collect a packed lunch on either day (please read the attached sandwich storage allergen information) or attend school on Wednesday or Friday for a hot meal, please let us know your intention by 8:30am on Monday 3rd July by completing the form in the link here:
https://forms.gle/vof4LEL86ZK533pf8
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 students on Monday 10th July 2023 and will operate a normal school day; Year 10 students will begin their week of work experience on this date.
I apologise for the disruption that this day 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 as a school.
Yours sincerely,
Mr D Prophet
Headteacher
