Please click here to view the letter to parents.

RE: Strike Action Update - Partial Closure of Queen Katharine Academy (QKA) on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March 2023

Dear Parents/Carers

As you will be aware, the National Education Union (NEU) has announced that they will be taking part in industrial action on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March 2023 due to a national dispute with the government around pay and school funding.

I am writing to you to update on arrangements for the day. While predicting the impact of strike action is difficult, we are aware that some of our staff are members of the NEU and are therefore likely to strike.

All schools across the country are required to have an appropriate number of staff, based on the number of students, that need to be in school for health and safety reasons and unfortunately, we are likely to fall below this number.

We, therefore, have no choice but to close to students in Year 7 - 10 and Years 12 - 14 on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March.

We will, however, remain open for: -

• Key Worker and Vulnerable Children from all year groups (parents and carers of those students will be contacted separately).
• All students in Y11 to sit Exams and Practice Exams (8.45am -1.40pm). - P16 students requiring a safe study space for the whole day (8.45am-2.45pm). Students will be able to only access work on Teams in a silent study space.
• Please complete this link if this facility is required for your child by Tuesday 14th March 2pm.

Students will need to ensure they arrive in full school uniform as usual. Students entitled to Free School Meals will be issued on the day with a voucher sent by email via our provider, Wonde. If you have any queries, please contact Kirsty Cleworth: kirsty.cleworth@qka.education

During their time at home, work for students will be set on Teams in the same way as any home learning, for more information please click this link to the website.

The school will reopen to everyone on Friday 17th March.

- To reiterate: all the Year 11 exams due to run on Wednesday and Thursday 15/16th March 2023 are continuing as normal, so students will be required to attend. Please note the students will finish at a slightly earlier time of 1.40pm.

I apologise for the disruption these decisions will cause, but I want to assure you that we will always act in the best interests of our students’ safety and wellbeing.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.