Tuesday 14th March 2023
Dear Parent/Guardian
Partial School Closure – Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th March
As you will be aware, members of the National Education Union (NEU) may be taking part in strike action on Wednesday 15th & 16th March.
In order to ensure adequate supervision and the safety of your children in school, we are sorry, but we will not be able to open as normal on those dates when the National Education Union (NEU) goes out on strike again. We are extremely grateful to our staff who have made us aware of their intentions, as they are not obliged to do this. Their actions are not aimed at the school, nor do they wish to create uncertainty for the students and families that we serve.
We have looked at our priority groups and plans for staff numbers to ensure that all children are kept safe and can be sufficiently supervised. We have, therefore, had to make the decision to close the following classes for the day:
Nursery - Both days
Foxes (Yea 1) Wednesday 15th only
Otters (Year 1) - Both days
Hedgehogs (Year 2) - Both days
Eagles (Year 3) - Both days
Kestrels (Year 3) - Both days
Falcons (Year 4) - Both days
Hawks (Year 4) - Both days
Panthers (Year 5) - Both days
The Ark (pm only) - Both days
Children who are classed as vulnerable children and children of first responders in these classes will be permitted to attend school, but by prior arrangement ONLY.
Vulnerable children are those who fall into the any of the following categories:
§ Children who have an EHCP
§ Children who are classified as Pupil Premium
§ Children who are looked after by a Local Authority
§ Children with a Social Worker as they are on a Child Protection Plan or Child in Need Plan
Children of First Responders.
We do not want essential services to be disrupted and, therefore, we have made the decision to support these families by offering them the opportunity for their children to come to school, if their class is closed. First responders are considered to work in the following professions:
§ NHS, including ambulance and paramedic staff
§ Ministry of Defence
§ Police
§ Fire and Rescue Services
§ Care workers
§ Social workers
§ Teachers at state schools (who are not on strike).
ONLY children who have BOTH parents working as a first responder will be eligible for a place.
If your child falls in to one or more of the above categories and you would like them to be in school for either or both of these dates, we ask that you please complete and return the relevant form attached to this letter by 17.00 on Tuesday 14th March 2023, using the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfETiieTL2I4t2kcdfvNYnft0jxK7uMEuhM8ITKNGJrHG2fhg/viewform?usp=sf_link We will then respond to confirm eligibility and an allocated place.
For children in school, we will be running a normal day.
Free School Meals
If your child is in receipt of free school meals (as a Pupil Premium Child), but you do not wish them to attend school on Thursday 2nd March as their class is closed, we will be providing a school meal as a packed lunch. This can be collected at 11.00am on Thursday 2nd March from our main reception by a parent/guardian. To help us cater appropriately, we do ask that you please complete and return this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebHI90m4sZXNnJBZ9-bki__VUEF122N6Sj84v_tY3c-VfAKg/viewform?usp=sf_link by 17.00 on Tuesday 14th March 2023, stating whether your child will need a free school meal on either one or both of the days.
Should further teaching staff inform us of their intention to strike, the above plan may need to be revised, however, we will inform you as soon as possible should this be the case.
I would like to thank you in advance for your understanding. I am sorry if this puts additional pressure on you, but the school cannot safely house the whole school population given the strike action.
With best wishes
Kate Fairbrother
Head Teacher
Fremington Primary School.