Sent to parents and carers on 9/05/2025
School Closure Due to Industrial Action
As you know, we are now in my third term as the new Principal of Westbourne Academy. During this time, I have had the privilege to get to know the 1,000 plus young people who make up our academy community. I have met many of you at parents’ evenings, at the end of the school day and in meetings where you have shared your views about our strengths and areas for development.
Last month, I wrote to you outlining some of the improvements we are seeking to make this term. Specifically, in the areas of pastoral and behaviour support, including the move from Houses to Year Groups in our pastoral structure, and how we can successfully reduce the number of students receiving C3s in lessons and being removed to our seclusion room.
When Ofsted inspected Westbourne in June 2024, they found that “some pupils still do not behave well enough around the school site and to a much lesser extent in lessons. This is because the new ‘warm but strict’ approach to promoting good behaviour, which is having a successful impact, is at an early stage.” Whilst we have continued to make progress in this area this year, some of our staff feel that the progress we have made since last year is not secure enough for them to be able to teach uninterrupted all of the time.
It is therefore, with deep regret, that I am writing to inform you that members of the teaching unions the NASUWT and NEU, have voted in favour of taking industrial (strike) action. They intend to do so on the following dates:
- Tuesday 13 May
- Wednesday 14 May
- Wednesday 21 May
- Thursday 22 May
Dialogue remains open between myself, my colleagues at Academy Transformation Trust and union representatives about the implementation of our plans to continue to improve student conduct at Westbourne. I know our staff share my commitment to seeing this area of the school improve as quickly as possible. We remain optimistic that the plans we are implementing will lead to further improvements in student conduct and continue to work with our colleagues with the aim of averting further strike action.
We have undertaken a thorough assessment of the school timetable for the two proposed strike days next week. We have decided that learning will need to be moved online for Years 7, 8 and 9 on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Details of the work can be found below:
Accessing Online Learning During School Closure
If your child is in Years 7, 8 or 9 and has an EHCP and you would like them to attend school on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, please email Miss Degville:
opal.degville@attrust.org.uk by 3pm on Monday 12 May.
Parents and carers of students in Year 7, 8 and 9 who are considered vulnerable, ie if they are supported by a social worker or if they are identified by the school as needing additional support or supervision during the school day, they will be contacted by our safeguarding team and invited to attend as normal. Please contact Mrs Clarke carol.clarke@attrust.org.uk for further information.
We will remain open for Years 11 and 10. Year 11 have public examinations in Religious Studies, Science and Geography. They also have a Maths exam on the 15 May. When not in an examination, students will be involved in exam warm-up and preparation lessons to ensure examination success.
Year 10 will have some exam booster sessions, including sitting some exam papers, which will contribute towards their predicted grades for college applications. There will be slightly amended start and end times for Year 10 to accommodate this.
Attendance for Years 10 and 11 is compulsory on the two days.
Tuesday 13 May
- Year 10 should arrive at 9:15 and go to B playground on arrival
- Year 10 will finish the day at 13:50
- Year 11 should arrive at the normal time of 08:15.
- Year 11 will be dismissed after their science exam in the afternoon which starts at 13:30
Wednesday 14 May
- Year 10 should arrive at 9:15 and go to B playground to line up on arrival.
- Year 10 will finish the day at 13:00
- Year 11 should arrive at the normal time of 8:15-8:25
- Year 11 will finish the day at the normal time of 15:00
Students who are eligible for Free School Meals will be able to collect a packed lunch by coming to the attendance office at 12:00 on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 May. To order your child’s packed lunch, please complete the form here by 12:00 on Monday 12 May to allow us to order and prepare the packed lunches.:
https://forms.office.com/e/sNYNuiijnU
We are currently working with colleagues from both teaching unions to try and resolve this situation to avoid further instances of students having to learn remotely. Should the industrial action continue, however, we will be in touch with details of how we will manage the school to facilitate face to face learning for as many students as we can safely accommodate on site.
Kind regards
Mr M Higgon
Principal
Academy vision: Westbourne is an inclusive academy. We support all students, regardless of starting point, to achieve their potential and develop the skills necessary for employment and life.
Academy values: Be Safe, Be Thoughtful, Be Accountable and Be Respectful.
General queries to: wes-office@attrust.org.uk or 01473 742315
Attendance or Absence queries to: wes-attendance@attrust.org.uk
Exam queries to: anna.fulcher@attrust.org.uk
MCAS, online payments and data information queries to: wes-data@attrust.org.uk
Lettings queries to wes-lettings@attrust.org.uk
Safeguarding queries to wes-safe@attrust.org.uk
SEND queries to: opal.degville@attrust.org.uk