RE: STRIKE ACTION
You may be aware from media coverage that The NEU have declared strike action, which will
take place on the following dates:
· Wednesday, 1 February 2023
· Wednesday, 1 March 2023
· Wednesday, 15 March 2023
· Thursday, 16 March 2023
The strike is happening because of a national dispute between the unions and the
government over teachers’ pay and not because of any issues at our school.
I am writing in order to give you as much notice as possible that learning may be disrupted on
the above dates, and we recommend that you start to make alternative childcare
arrangements for these dates. We are working closely with our staff union representatives to
keep up to date with the situation and further updates will be sent to you later this week or
early next week. This notification was also sent to all parents and carers on 24th January.
I should also be able to provide further information later this week with regards specific
arrangements for online work. I have outlined our actions below with regards year group
closures.
– Years 7-10 and years 12 and 13 will be provided online work via their Show My
Homework Portal. Any students unable to access work online need to let us know as
soon as possible so that year teams can start to organise work packs to take home for
the day.
– School will be open for Year 11 students, and there will be a combination of normal
lessons, depending on staffing, plus a revision studies and mock examinations
preparation day.
– Year 13 students will be provided with examination resources and guidance.
– School will also be open for our most vulnerable students.
– We will also provide packed lunches for our Free School Meals students who are working
from home.
*Please note, that teaching members of staff who are striking are not compelled to set work
for students therefore, some remote work will be generic and will be labelled: GENERAL in Show
My Homework. If there is no specific set work for a period on Show My Homework, they need
to complete this GENERAL work linking it to the subject scheduled on their timetable.
Vulnerable Students
Parents/carers of students who are identified as vulnerable by the DfE will be contacted by either
a member of the Safeguarding or SEND Team, inviting your child to attend school on the days
that strike action is taking place.
Catering
School lunches will run as normal. Students on site will be able to use the Refectory at both break
and lunchtime.
Free School Meals
If your child is working remotely and is eligible for free school meals, you will be able to order a
packed lunch for Wednesday. Your child will be able to collect this on Tuesday from the
Refectory. You will receive a separate email regarding this if your child is eligible.
I am sorry that you will have to make alternative arrangements for your child at short notice,
and/or that they will experience disruption to their education. I understand that this situation may
be frustrating and ask that all members of our school community continue to treat each other
with respect. Fairfax Academy remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment
for our students and delivering high-quality teaching.
We are working closely with our union representatives to keep up to date with the situation, and
I will inform you as soon as possible if arrangements change further.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s Head of Year via the details below.
Yours sincerely
SEAN CASTLE
Principal
Head of Year 7 Mrs Rose s.rose@fairfax.fmat.co.uk
Head of Year 8 Ms Ahmed-Lockley s.ahmedlockley@fairfax.fmat.co.uk
Head of Year 9 Mrs Colbourne j.colbourne@fairfax.fmat.co.uk
Head of Year 10 Miss Dowell m.dowell@fairfax.fmat.co.uk
Head of Year 11 Mr Sheppard a.sheppard@fairfax.fmat.co.uk
Assistant Head of Sixth Form Miss Sutton s.sutton@fairfax.fmat.co.uk
