Industrial Action, 2nd March - John Cabot Academy

Dear parents/carers,

Members of the National Education Union have voted for industrial action which will impact JCA. The next day is Thursday March 2nd, and provisionally March 15th & 16th.

This will result in disruption to the JCA routine, and some scheduled lessons will be unable to go ahead. As ever, pupil wellbeing remains our priority, and careful risk assessments have been carried out to assess which lessons and activities can safely continue.

At JCA, the following will apply:

JCA will only be open to some Year 11s and a small group of students from years 7-10 who would benefit from being in school. Those that attend the academy on Thursday will need to attend in full school uniform, for 8:40 as normal, but will leave slightly earlier at 14:40. The Street Canteen will be open from 9:30 – 9:50 and 12:10 – 12:40 for students to get food at break and lunch.

Year 11 mock exams will run as planned:

Year 11 Drama Exam 9am – 11am
Year 11 Hospitality & Catering Exam 1pm – 2:40pm
Year 11 Further Maths Exam 1pm – 2:40pm

Students who are attending a morning and afternoon exam will stay in school and will be supported in the SLR to revise.

Students who are attending one of the exams above will be expected on site for the exam only, they will leave afterwards, unless they are doing one of the coursework support sessions below.

Year 11 Coursework Support Sessions:

Year 11 iMedia coursework support – 8:40 – 2:40 – AF4
Year 11 Sport Science coursework support – 8:40 – 2:40 – BF7
Year 11 Health & Social Care coursework support – 8:40 – 2:40 – AF11
Year 11 DT Coursework support for Mr Oxley’s class 11B– 8:40 – 2:40 – DC1
Year 11 Music coursework support –– Music Room – specific students by invitation only at specific Ms Grierson will contact them directly.

If students study more than one of these subjects, we will direct them on Thursday morning to the appropriate session.

If none of the above applies, year 11s are to work from home.

We will directly contact the parents of a small number of students in Years 7-10 who would benefit from attending on Thursday in the next few days. They will be supervised in the library and the SLR to independently do their homework available on Show My Homework.

There is lots of homework available on Show My Homework for students not attending the academy, but there will not be live virtual learning. To see what your child is learning in every subject this current term, please view the Curriculum Maps on the JCA website: https://johncabotacademy.clf.uk/curriculum-statement/. You can then go to the Oak National Academy website for relevant online lessons https://classroom.thenational.academy/subjects-by- key-stage .

Students who are in receipt of Free School Meals in years 7-10 and will not be in school can collect a packed lunch at the end of the day on Wednesday 1st March.

Please note these arrangements may need to change ahead of subsequent strike dates. However, we will continue to work closely with our staff union representatives to keep up-to-date with the situation, and I will inform you of our plans for those days as soon as possible.

I am sure we all hope for a swift resolution to this dispute which will satisfy all parties. Until then, we recognise and respect the right of JCA staff to take part industrial action and ask that all members of our community continue to treat each other with respect. And while I understand this situation may be frustrating, your continued support for our school at this time is appreciated.

I do hope this has answered your questions and will allow you to plan ahead for any disruption. However, should you have any further questions, do please contact the school through the usual channels.

Yours sincerely

Kate Willis
Principal
John Cabot Academy