Dear Parent/Carer
I hope you and your families are well and enjoying the recent appearance of summer?
I wanted to get in touch to update you on a few key items and give you full detailed information on the upcoming NEU strike days on Wednesday 5 and Friday 7 July.
As I have said in previous communication, our main priority is to ensure all students on site are safe and adequately supervised at all times. Due to the high number of NEU teachers in school and the fact that the remaining teachers working are not in a position to cover lessons for them, we will, once again, need to limit attendance on the school site.
After reflecting on the previous strike days and looking carefully at the number of teachers out of school, we have decided to bring three year groups into school on both days. As previously, we are going to prioritise year groups who are studying exams courses, so students in Year 10 and Year 12 will be in school on both days. We will then invite Year 7 into school on Wednesday 5 July and Year 8 on Friday 7 July.
In Summary
- On Wednesday 5 July the school will be open for all students in Years 7, 10 and 12.
- On Friday 7 July, the school will be open for all students in Years 8, 10 and 12.
- The school will be open on both days for all students in receipt of free school meals, children who are looked after or were previously looked after and children who have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) in Years 7 to 10.
- The school will be closed for students in Year 9 on both days. Remote learning activities will be set for students.
- The school will be closed to Year 8 students on Wednesday 5 July and Year 7 students on Friday 7 July. Remote learning activities will be set for students.
Students in school
Buses will be running as usual and school will start and finish at the normal times.
Students will attend their normal lessons unless their teacher is absent. If the teacher is absent, online learning or revision activities will be set and students will be expected to study independently under supervision in the LRC or Fells Theatre. Students in Year 12 will be expected to complete independent study.
If your child is ill on this day our usual absence procedures will apply.
Children in receipt of free school meals, looked after children or children with an EHCP in Years 7 to 10)
If your child is in one of the categories above they can attend school to complete the remote learning activities set. They will not attend their normal lessons but will spend the day in a room working under supervision. If you wish your child to attend school on this day and so we know in advance which students we are expecting in school, please complete the attached form via the link – https://forms.gle/X3ujtww9vgqKz2K86 by 6pm on Monday 3 July 2023. If we do not receive a completed form relating to your child, we will assume they will be completing the remote learning activities at home. If you complete the form but then your child is ill on this day and cannot attend, please follow the usual absence procedures.
Students not in school
Students who are not in school will be set remote learning tasks online to complete at home. Students in Year 9 will be set remote learning tasks online to complete at home on both days.
Students in Year 8 will be set remote learning tasks online to complete at home on Wednesday 5 July and students in Year 7 will be set remote learning tasks online to complete at home on Friday 7 July. These tasks will either be set by the class teacher on Google Classroom or will be more generic tasks to be found on the specific year group dashboard. Students will be given full details via email.
As previously, I want to apologise to parents for any inconvenience that the industrial action is causing. All I can do is assure you that we are doing all we can to bring as many students into school as is possible and ensure it is safe for them. I would also like to add that the plans on this letter are subject to change if the situation changes significantly but, as always, I will keep parents fully informed.
This half term so far…
We have enjoyed a fantastic half term so far in school with so many successes to report including:
- Our Key Stage 3 Dance troupe ‘Storm’ representing school in the national Great Big Dance Off finals in Cheltenham on Monday this week.
- Team M.A.C.H.I.N.E winning the national ‘Robotic Challenge’ at the EEP Robotics Challenge UK final at the NEC in Birmingham.
- Year 12 trips to Leeds Beckett University and a UCAS Discovery day.
- The amazing primary school experience events led by our staff and students in foreign languages and a mini-Olympic event with PE on the fields.
- A very busy Sixth Form Preparation morning for current Year 11 students who will join us in Year 12 next year.
- A hugely successful Year 5 Open evening for prospective parents last night.
- A brilliant Year 11 prom at the Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley last Friday.
Year 11 and 13 students have completed their exams and we have been so proud of how they conducted themselves throughout the whole challenging experience. We have also been impressed with our Year 10 and 12 students who have both been through a really tough mock exam week in the past fortnight and have worked so hard and behaved impeccably in the exam halls.
There are still many more events to come as the term moves on and I hope to see you in school as we celebrate:
- Sports Presentation Evening – 5 July 6pm
- Dance Xplosion Event – 6 July 6pm
- The Band Showcase – 12 July 6pm
- Years 7 – 10 award events during the school day – 13 July
- Enrichment Week – WC 17 July. Further details will be provided to parents soon.
Thank you so much for your continued support of the school and I will be in touch during the final week of term with some key information about September.
All the best,
Martyn Hill
Headteacher
