As you will be aware, following a recent ballot, Teaching Assistants across Durham County Council, who are affected by the proposals to change terms and conditions, have voted to take industrial action in the form of a strike. I would like to inform you that strike action is planned to take place on Wednesday 23rd November and Thursday 24th November.
How will this affect my children?
As headteacher, I am responsible, in consultation with the Chair of Governors, for deciding what will happen in our school during the strike period. This strike action will lead to a significant reduction in staffing levels and consequently there will be health and safety implications for all pupils within our school.
Following the industrial action held last week, and the resulting closure of the school to all pupils, school Health and Safety procedures were evaluated and measures planned for to prevent whole school closure in future industrial actions. However, due to the current planned industrial action being carried out so soon after the first, relevant Health and Safety training and procedures have not, as yet, been fully completed.
My decision, therefore, 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 will be open only for pupils in the following year groups and they should attend school at the usual times.
Can I also remind parents there will be no Breakfast Club on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th
| Industrial Action of Unison and ATL members – Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 November | |
| Classes which will attend school at the usual times | Classes which will not be in school on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th November |
| Redacre – Miss Cooper | Reception |
| Fleetrock – Mrs Sharp | Year 3 |
| Featherbed – Mrs Thompson | Year 4H |
| Year 4W | |
| Year 5 | |
| Year 6 | |
I appreciate that closing the school to some pupils will cause inconvenience for families. However, can I assure you once again that in forming my decision I have taken into account the safety and well-being of all pupils and school staff. I will inform you if further developments arise.
Yours sincerely,
Mr L Duncan (Headteacher)
