John Cabot Academy

Industrial Action

Further to the notice I placed in the weekly newsletter last week (copied below), I am writing to update parents regarding the proposed strike action on Thursday 30 June.  I have asked staff to advise me of their intentions by the end of Friday.  Some unions have delayed their instruction to union members and so this has meant that the number of staff opting to take industrial action is still not certain.  Therefore, I will post a further message to the website as early next week as possible following a risk assessment I will carry out once the numbers of striking staff is known.  If I can find any way of maintaining normality at the Academy I will; however, I must be confident that I can provide a safe environment for the students and will not open the Academy if this cannot be achieved.

Industrial action (from last week’s newsletter)

Parents and students may be aware of the decision taken by teaching unions this week to strike on 30 June following recent Government proposals regarding pensions.  I am not yet aware to what extent this will affect the Academy as I have not been directly informed by the unions or by any teaching staff regarding their intention to strike.  Year 10 students have an important Maths modular exam on that morning; however, I would like to reassure parents and students that even if the Academy needed to close to all other students, we will not allow Year 10 to be disadvantaged by being prevented from taking this exam.  I will ensure there are enough staff to safely and fairly administer this process.  Nearer the time, I will advise parents regarding strike action if and when it becomes pertinent.