Industrial Action – Thursday 02 March

As you will know from previous correspondence, further industrial action by teacher members of the National Education Union (NEU) is planned in our region on the following dates:

02 March 2023
15 March 2023
16 March 2023

A risk assessment has been completed ahead of the next planned strike on Thursday 02 March, taking account of all the available information and with due regard for the adequate supervision of pupils and maintaining a safe and secure environment. Given the considerable number of NEU teacher members at Garth Hill College, we expect the school day will be significantly disrupted.

As a result, if the planned industrial action goes ahead on Thursday 02 March, the College will open only to students in years 11, 12 and 13, and to vulnerable children and children of key/critical workers. Other students in years 7-10 will be expected to study at home. Rise@GHC (Eastern Road) will be open to all students as normal.

This decision has not been taken lightly, but the health, safety and welfare of students and staff has to take priority. We have followed Department for Education guidance in determining those students/year groups able to attend school and priority has been given to students taking examinations in 2023, vulnerable children and children of key/critical workers.

Detailed arrangements for Thursday 02 March:

Year 11 students will sit their planned PPE (pre-public mock exams) as normal. Year 11 should arrive in the Inner Link by 8.40am. Year 11 students will be dismissed after their afternoon examination has finished.
- Students sitting Physics for Science Double Award will finish at approximately 00pm
- Students sitting Physics for the Triple Award will finish at approximately 25pm.
Year 12/13 students should arrive in time for their first lesson and attend lessons that are taking place with their normal teacher. Students will be notified in the morning of any period 5 lessons that will be going ahead. At other times, including lessons where the teacher is absent, students will complete independent study. The Sixth Form team will provide advice on how to make constructive use of non-contact time.
Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 students in the main college are to remain at home to access lessons via Microsoft Teams when the normal teacher is available, and complete work via online learning platforms (eg. Seneca) during lessons when the teacher is not available.
Rise@GHC will open as normal to all their students.
Provision will be made on-site for children of key (critical) workers and vulnerable children in years 7-10. These students should attend school in full uniform and arrive in the Restaurant at 8.40am. We will write separately to those parents/carers concerned.
The Restaurant will be open as normal for students in school.
Arrangements will be made for students eligible for free school meals studying at home and we will write separately with further details.

If you have any questions or queries, please contact the Main Office by emailing reception@garthhillcollege.com

Thank you once again for your patience, cooperation and understanding.

Yours faithfully

Keith Grainger - Principal