Executive Principal’s Blog – 20.1.23 ‘Challenging Times’
All of us will be aware that one of the major teaching unions (the National Education Union – NEU) announced earlier this week that its ballot of teacher members in England has met the thresholds required to commence industrial action. As a consequence, they have announced national and regional action in England. The following dates apply to our locality: Wednesday 1st February, and Wednesday 1st March, and (if no pay deal is agreed with the Government) Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March 2023.
Although Headteachers are discussing contingency plans and trying to take all reasonable steps to keep schools open for students, parents and carers will need to be aware that, due to the large number of staff in the NEU at Bushey Meads School, the school will have to close on the dates outlined above.
One of the key factors for Senior Leaders to consider relates to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and is of course the safety of any remaining staff on the school site on those days. The need to ensure that all students are not exposed to risks with regard to their own safe supervision is also paramount.
Parents and carers will undoubtedly be concerned about lost learning, especially for our Year 11 and Year 13 cohorts with their impending examinations looming. However, with all the varied online resources paid for and made available for students, children will be encouraged to complete as much work as possible on those days via these online platforms. These include SAMLearning, MyMaths, Dr Frost Maths, Educake, SENECA Learning and GCSE BiteSize.
We do apologise in advance for any disruption caused but want to reassure you that all staff will continue to support all students at Bushey Meads with their ongoing learning and achievements in these challenging times and will continue to provide all the additional extracurricular opportunities, revision sessions and ongoing raising achievement initiatives on offer at our school.
We are also aware that the Year 9 Options Evening is scheduled for Wednesday 15th March and are looking at alternative arrangements.
As always do click on the link to read this week’s BMS News highlighting some of the things that have been happening in our fantastic learning community this week.
Jeremy Turner
Executive Principal
