A Hereford secondary school has confirmed a partial closure on Wednesday due to strike action.
Aylestone School sent the letter out earlier this month, with the vast majority of students told to not attend school on Wednesday.
In a letter, Mr S P Robertson (Executive Headteacher) said:
“I am writing to inform you about strike action that is being taken by members of the National Education Union of Teachers (NEU) on 1st March 2023 and to advise you about arrangements for the school on that day.
“NEU members have voted to take strike action. This means there will be a series of strike dates, Wednesday 1st February, Wednesday 1st March 2023 (regional strike date – West Midlands), Wednesday 15th March 2023 & Thursday 16th March 2023.
“As head teacher, I am responsible, in consultation with the chair of governors, for deciding what will happen in our school on the day of the strike. My decision has been informed by the risk assessment that I have carried out to determine the impact of the strike on the health and safety of pupils and staff.
“The decision I have made is that the school must be closed to all students EXCEPT those in Y11 and other invited pupils (as specified in the guidance given by the Department for Education) for that day.
“Pupils who are not in Y11 and who are invited into school will receive an additional letter. For those students who are not in school their teachers who are in school will set them work through Show my Homework. Students should log in and check each lesson throughout the day. If there is no work set for a particular lesson then we suggest students work from websites they are familiar with, such as:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/secondary
https://www.thenational.academy/
“Can Y11 students please bring a range of revision materials that they may use on the day in preparation for their mock examinations the following week.
“We can confirm that we will be able to provide a packed lunch to all children in receipt of a Free School Meal on the day of the strike. This will need to be collected from the school office from 11am.
“If your child is entitled to a Free School Meal and you wish to collect one then please email admin@aylestone.hereford.sch.uk with the title FSM, confirming your child’s name and form by 3:30pm Monday 27th February.
“I appreciate that closing the school for years 7 to 10 will cause inconvenience for families and it is not a decision that I have taken lightly.
“I can assure you that in forming my decision I have taken into account the well-being of all pupils and their families and school staff.”
