Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
A useful reminder and resource for online safety.
The school already publishes links for supporting parents with 'online' and 'internet' safety and likewise children regularly receive support through learning activities (direct and complimentary) as well as assembly discussions and class PSHE activities.
However, it is sometimes good to remind ourselves of some basic opportunities and challenges when guiding children around online use. With this in mid, I include below a link to a very useful website that has been recommended. IT is simple to navigate and provides some very good advice.
In addition, the NSPCC also have useful links and pages for parents.
Visit: www.internetmatters.org
Dear Parents and Carers (update 27th Jan)
As promised, I am providing as much early notice as possible with regards to closures owing to strike action by the NEU on Wednesday January 1st.
As a result of a further notice of a reduction in available staff on the day of the NEU industrial action (next Wednesday), the school will now also be closed to Mrs Sahota and Mrs Ince’s class*.
This is in addition to the already announced closure of Year 5 and 6 classes*.
Parents have my assurance that I am doing all I reasonably can do to reduce the impact on families but I have limited staff availability. We continue to deploy all staff available to ensure there are safe adult to pupil ratios and keep open to as many families as possible.
Parents are again reminded that the closure or opening of classes to groups of children does not necessarily reflect the individuals striking or otherwise in that class, but that of the availability and re deployment of other staff in order to keep the school open to as many pupils as possible.
The school will continue to be open to all children with an Educational Health Care Plan, those supported by Child Protection Plans and those who are Looked After (in the care of the Local Authority). This includes those from classes currently identified as closed.
Parents are again advised that the possible full extent of closures will not be known until the day of the strike (Wednesday 1sr February) as NEU members are not required to inform me of their intention to strike; likewise, staff who are intending on being on school site may themselves not be able to attend because of industrial actions by the NEU in their own children’s school.
Those children whose classes are closed and are entitled to a Free School Meal can collect a packed lunch from school reception on Tuesday after school. This will negate the need for families to come to school on the day of the strike and collect one; I am aware this would result in more disruption and unnecessary travel for some.
To confirm, school will be closed to:
NEU Industrial Action PARENT INFORMATION
Current forecasted actions for
Wednesday, February 1st, 2023
ALL INFORMATION IS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF PUBLISHING.
Additional closures may be required if, for reasons such as sickness or dependent leave needs, staffing levels are reduced further. Likewise, staff who have not declared an intention to strike continue to have the option not to attend their place of work on the day of industrial action. As such, parents may be contacted on the day to collect their children. This is beyond the control of senior leaders.
Ashgate Primary School will be closed to children in
Year 5 and 6
Important note: The closure of some year groups and not others does not necessarily reflect the individual NEU members striking in those year groups, but that of the staffing redeployment options and availability.
Dear parents and carers
1.1 Intention
I provide the most up to date information regarding National Education Union (NEU) industrial action on February 1st, 2023. Parents should be assured that any actions taken in regard to opening or closing to groups of children have been taken with due regard to legislation and no decisions have been taken lightly. As forecasted, strike action will affect some classes, but the Senior Leadership Team have taken all possible legal and reasonable adjustments to reduce direct impact, especially for vulnerable pupils and families. A thorough risk assessment has been completed in order to ensure safe practice and to ascertain the level of closures required.
Industrial Actions – Administration
1.2 Curriculum coverage for those attending:
In order to prevent wider school closure, your child’s class may be supported by a staff member who provides ‘supervision’ and / or ‘alternative activities’. This means that the staff member may not be able/qualified/required to deliver the National Curriculum at the level of the striking staff member and therefore activities that would be expected of those holding Qualified Teacher Status may be limited.
All after school clubs and tuition groups will be cancelled.
1.3 Supporting the most vulnerable in Year 5 and 6
Children in Year 5 or 6 who fall into one or more of the following categories have the option to attend school on strike days; however, they will not be with their own class.
Families subject to these criteria will already know as formal notice and action plans will have already been agreed with the school and Local Authority.
1.4 Free School Meals for Year 5 and 6
The school recognises that those entitled to Free School Meals but for whom the school is closed remain entitled to a free meal.
For this reason, if your child is entitled to a Free School Meal a packed lunch will be prepared for them to take home after school on January 31st in readiness for the following day.
This will prevent the need for families to come to school on the day of the strike to collect it, which we know from lockdown experiences can result in financial or practical difficulties.
There is no need to inform us if you require a packed lunch, they will be made available for you from the reception area of the school.
1.5 Absence records:
1.6 Summary of steps to mitigate impact of strike action on families, in line with DfE directives
Industrial Action: Frequently asked questions:
2.1 Why are the National Education Union striking?
The NEU have opted to take strike action because of increased financial pressures on schools and those working in them. Unfunded government imposed demands on school finances are unsustainable, and as suchwhat schools are able to deliver to children is greatly diminishing, including support for your child.
With increasing demands on school budgets and salaries, teaching is no longer an attractive profession in which to enter. This is resulting in teaching and support staff prematurely leaving in pursuit of less demanding jobs that have better or equal pay. Amongst key concerns are:
2.2 Will those who are on strike get paid?
Union members not attending work are unpaid. Whilst a strike in specific circumstances is legal, any employee member not attending work as they have elected to take industrial action are in breach of contract and therefore not entitled to pay.
2.3Why are some staff striking and not others?
Not all unions are taking industrial action, although all share the concerns of the NEU. The option to strike is only for those whose unions have balloted to do so and have met the legal requirements needed to act, similarly, some staff opt not to strike despite it being legal for them to do so.
2.4 I thought the government had changed the law regarding strikes and stopped them?
The NEU action is compliant with law. Industrial action remains legal in the UK although in the future it may be that there are safety restrictions imposed in some services such as fire and NHS. Schools are already required to meet minimum safeguarding standards as enshrined in legislation.
2.5 I heard the government are investing more than ever in schools, so why the concern?
In real terms, schools are now more underfunded as the costs of running them far exceeds what leaders are given. Costs have increased at a greater level than the government announced adjustments meaning budgets are decreasing in real terms. More is asked whilst less is given and the unfunded changes to below inflation salaries this year reflect this.
2.6 Will the current plan apply if there are further strikes?
All strike actions are planned based on the number of staff taking action and can alter even on the day of the strike, subject to staff intentions. As this cannot be ascertained in advance, the plan may be different if there is further action. As with this action, as much notice will be given as possible.
Information sourced from NEU - NAHT/ Parliamentary Report -Gov UK / Department for Education STPCD 2022
Strike Action Announcement by National Education Union
National strikes are scheduled for 1 February, 15 and 16 March
Dear parents
As you are likely to be aware, the NEU balloted their teaching members regarding strike action this term. The union have announced that following the ballot, a strike has been announced. In light of this, I wish to inform you of how this may impact on your child.
Intent
All legal and reasonable steps will be taken to keep the school open, in full, in part or for children who are most vulnerable. Parents should be mindful that there is a possibility that the school will be closed to some children.
Who decides if the school is closed and when will I know?
It is for the headteacher to decide whether or not to close the school fully or in part.
The decision will be one based on availability of staff, the need to meet safeguarding requirements as well as safe and legal adult to pupil ratios. As a headteacher, my decision will be one based on capacity and will not be a political one.
As soon as a decision can be made, you will be informed. I hope to be able to do so at least with one week’s notice, but this may be out of my control.
Can other teachers or staff not simply cover the classes?
The Headteacher may ask other teachers to cover the classes of those taking industrial action although the headteacher cannot force staff to do so unless they are directly employed to cover absent staff. Support staff are able to carry out 'specified work' including cover supervision, provided they are subject to the direction and supervision of a qualified teacher, and the headteacher is satisfied that they have the skills required to carry out the work.
Following the repeal of Regulation 7 in July 2022, it is now possible for employers to engage with agency staff to replace the work of those taking official strike action, although the availability of such staff is limited and agency staff may likewise be opting to strike.
If cover can be provided, it will be.
If the school is open for all or some, what will the day be like?
If we are able to stay open, what the school delivers may be affected. I may choose to bring together groups and classes with teachers and support staff working together, as long as pupils’ health and safety is ensured. For pupils older than seven there are no set ratios for the number of staff required to supervise pupils on site. The curriculum itself may be adjusted to accommodate these changes and better meet the skill set and experience of staff who are available.
If the school is closed to my child and I work, will I get paid if I stay at home?
This is for your employer to decide. Parents have the right to non-attendance in the workplace if the school closes to their child as a result of strikes, but it is for the employer to decide if this is paid.
If the school is closed to my child, will it go against their attendance?
Categorically NO. If you are told the school is closed to your child, this will be recorded as such. However, if the school is open to your child and they do not attend, this will be recorded as unauthorised as they were able to attend.
I will keep you updated with any further information as soon as it is available to me.
Yours sincerely
Mr Peter Seargent
Headteacher
School Uniform Community Swap Shop
Following on from the questionnaire sent out regarding the current cost of living crisis, we have now set up our ‘Uniform Swap-Shop’ in the school reception area.
The purpose of the system is to provide parents with an alternative to buying new uniform and/ or recycle clothing, thus reducing the environmental impact clothing sale and production.
How does it work?
or
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THE CLOTHES HANGERS!
You must ensure any uniform you bring in is in good repair and washed in advance and remove any name labels / mark out names
What will be available?
Initially only school uniform and coats will be made available. This may be extended to other items depending on the effectiveness of and administration demands of the system.
Currently we will only facilitate exchanges of:
Stock and availability will be dependent on demand and donations made to the school.
Where is it and when can I access the Swap Shop?
Access to the Swap Shop is via the main entrance. A new rail has been placed on the wall to the left of the reception area.
We ask that you are considerate and avoid visiting before the school day starts or between 8:45 and 9:15, or 3pm and 3:45pm. We ask this as these are the busiest times for staff and they will not be able to proritise helping you.
A common sense approach
The success of this system is dependent on people not being unreasonable in their use of the Swap Shop by, for example taking items that are not needed or taking multiple items that deny others the benefit of the system.
It is vital that any items that you bring in are serviceable and clean BEFORE they are brought in.
The Swap Shop is dependent on your donations, so if you have items that you wish to donate, even if you do not need an alternative item, please bring them in. Likewise, un named and uncollected lost property items will be used at the end of the half term. These items will be washed and prepared in advance.