Dear GA families

I am writing to update you of our plans to manage the forthcoming planned national and local industrial action, which has been announced by the National Education Union (NEU).  The first of these dates is scheduled for Wednesday 1st February 2023.

I want to give our families as much notice as possible about potential disruption on these dates.  This letter will outline the most likely plan for Wednesday using the most current information I have about predicted staffing levels.  However, I will write to you to confirm the final arrangements next week.  I understand that this will inconvenience families and appreciate that you will want to know how this will affect your child/ren so that you can plan any alternative childcare arrangements. Protecting the health and safety of our pupils is our first priority.  My decision takes into account the number of teaching staff taking strike action, and the impact on the pupil to staff ratio as well as the number of staff able to take on additional responsibilities.

We cannot guarantee that we will be able to open the school fully on this date whilst keeping all students and staff supported.  With this in mind we have decided that the school will remain open for the following year groups/pupils.

Year 7 will remain in school and complete a normal GA day

Year 11 will remain in school and complete a normal GA day

Students from other year groups that need to be in school will be contacted separately.

GA Prep will be available to those students who the school is open for, elite training sessions will also be available for Year 11 students. Unfortunately, our enrichment offer will not continue on this day.

The canteen will be open as normal so if your child is in receipt of free school meals or purchases lunch from the school then this will continue as normal.

Years 8, 9 and 10

The school will be providing remote education for those students not attending school.  The lessons will be accessed through the school website and will include a series of online lessons for students to complete.  This work can be completed in their homework books so your child should ensure that they have enough pages in their homework book to complete this the evening before.  Students will need to show their completed work in tutor time the following morning.  If your child has difficulty accessing the internet then please contact us and we can support you and your family.

Free School Meals

If your child is in receipt of free school meals and is in a year group that will not be attending school and you would like to have lunch provided then please click the following link (https://forms.gle/fwmPGpCEuJqyRXWTA ) to request this before 9am on Tuesday 31st January 2023.  The packed lunch can be collected from reception between 8.45 - 9.30am on Wednesday 1st February 2023.

I want to thank you for your understanding and for making alternative arrangements for your child at short notice.  Whilst we appreciate the disruption that this may cause to families and our children, we respect the right of our NEU members to participate in industrial action. 

Gloucester Academy remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our pupils and delivering high-quality teaching.

We are working closely with our staff union representatives to keep up to date with the situation, and I will inform you of the final arrangements as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Gasher using the email address cgasher@gloucesteracademy.co.uk

Kind regards

Mrs P Lewis

Headteacher