Dear Families, 

You may be aware from media coverage that the National Education Union (NEU) have declared strike action, the first of which will take place on Wednesday 1st February. The strike is happening not because of any issues in school but as a consequence of an ongoing national dispute between the NEU and the government. The NEU state that the action is because the Secretary of state: “…failed to give the undertaking sought by the NEU to make available additional and sufficient funds to allow employers (schools) to pay a fully funded increase in teachers’ pay at a rate greater than inflation”. 

Like many other schools across the country, we have a significant number of teachers who will be involved in the industrial action next week which means that we will not be able to open safely to all students on Wednesday 1st February.  

School will be closed to all students on Wednesday 1st February apart from Years 7 and 11. We have decided to prioritise Year 7 as we know that many parents may be uncomfortable with leaving students of this age at home throughout the day. With regards to Year 11, we believe that we can use the day to prepare students for their forthcoming summer examinations. We will keep you posted over the next few days with any updates.  

I have not taken this decision lightly. My first priority has to be to open the site in a safe and secure manner.  Work will be set for all other students via Firefly.  

Please note that the NEU have also provisionally called strike action on the following dates: 

• Tuesday 28th February 2023 
• Wednesday 15th March 2023 
• Thursday 16th March 2023 

We will know more about our ability to open on the above dates based on the experience of next week. I will send a message in the week beginning Monday 20th February (during half-term) with regards to what we plan to do on the next proposed strike date.  

I’m sorry that you will have to make alternative arrangements for your child at short notice, and that they will experience disruption to their education. I am confident that the school community will get through this.  

We are working closely with our staff 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 me via ebotwe@tytheringtonschool.co.uk 

Yours sincerely, 

Mr Emmanuel Botwe 

Headteacher