NEU Teaching Union strike action
The membership of the National Education Union (NEU) has voted to take industrial action in schools across the country. This will take the form of strike action and is currently due to take place on
- Thursday, April 27
- Tuesday, May 2
The industrial action is a result of a national dispute between the NEU and the government and is not specific to our school nor to United Learning. The overwhelming majority of schools locally and nationally will be impacted but each school will have different arrangements for pupils due to the number of members of its staff who are likely to strike.
What is happening at Walthamstow Academy?
We have been working closely with colleagues here in order to plan for the strikes so that we can minimise any disruption to our students’ education. Our understanding is that a significant number of colleagues will be taking industrial action and so we are planning for this accordingly.
Following a full risk assessment, we have concluded that we will not be in a position to open the school to all year groups on 27 April and 2 May.
Here is the plan for each day:
Thursday 27 April
Y7 – in school as normal
Y8 – online learning
Y9 – online learning
Y10 – online learning
Y11 – in school as normal
Y12 – online learning
Y13 – some students in for subject drop down days and some online learning (a separate letter will be sent about this)
Tuesday 2 May
Y7 – online learning
Y8 – online learning
Y9 – online learning
Y10 – in school as normal
Y11 – in school as normal
Y12 – online learning
Y13 – some students in for subject drop down days and some online learning (a separate letter will be sent about this)
In addition:
- The work for students to do at home will be posted on Google Classroom on 26 April (the day before the strike action) and by 8am on the morning of 2 May (the day of the strike action)
- Because there will be fewer students onsite, we are reducing lunch time to 30 minutes (instead of 50) and therefore the day will end at 2.50pm rather than 3.10pm.
- The school will also be open to vulnerable students from all year groups: calls will be made this week inviting vulnerable students to come in on 27 April and 2 May
- The school will be open at lunchtime for any students working from home that day who are entitled to a free school meal and who would like to come in and have their meal. They just need to arrive at lunch time, and they do not need to wear uniform.