Sent to parents and carers on 19/05/2025
Update on Strike Action for 21 & 22 May 2025
I write to update you further on the dialogue last Friday afternoon, between myself, my colleagues at Academy Transformation Trust (ATT) and union representatives from NASUWT and NEU, about the implementation of our plans to continue to improve student conduct at Westbourne. We are optimistic that the plans we are implementing will lead to the improvements we all want to see.
Whilst members of the teaching unions the NASUWT and the NEU will continue to take industrial (strike) action on the Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 May, they have agreed to postpone any further action to give the plans chance to make an impact.
Dialogue will remain open between my colleagues at ATT, the union representatives and me about the implementation of our plans to continue to improve student conduct. I know our staff share my commitment to seeing this area of the school improve as quickly as possible.
We have undertaken a thorough assessment of the school timetable for the two proposed strike days this week and we have decided that learning will need to be moved online again for Years 7, 8 and 9 on Wednesday and Thursday. Details of the work and where to access it can be found on the document below:
Accessing Online Learning During School Closure
You can also find copies of the summer term 1 online learning information for each year group here on our website:
https://www.westbourne.attrust.org.uk/students/home-learning/
If your child is in Years 7, 8 or 9 and has an EHCP and you would like them to attend school, please email Miss Degville: opal.degville@attrust.org.uk by 15:00 on Tuesday 20 May.
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, 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 and Enterprise & Marketing on Wednesday. They also have a science exam on Thursday 22 May. When not in an examination, students will be involved in exam warm-up and preparation lessons to ensure examination success.
Year 10 will sit maths paper 3 for their PRE exams on Wednesday in the morning in the sports hall. This will contribute towards their predicted grades for college applications.
Attendance for Years 10 and 11 is compulsory on the two strike days.
Wednesday 21 May
- Year 10 should arrive at 08.45am and go to A playground
- Year 10 will finish the day at 15:00
- Year 11 should arrive at the normal time of 8:15-8:25
- Year 11 students without an exam in the afternoon will be dismissed at lunchtime (they can collect food from the food hall first if they wish)
Thursday 22 May
- Year 10 should arrive for an 8.55am start and go straight to period 1
- Year 10 will finish the day at 13:20 and are welcome to collect their lunch before leaving if they wish to do so
- Year 11 should arrive at the normal time of 8:15-08:25
- Year 11 will finish the day at the normal time of 15:00
Students eligible for Free School Meals will be able to collect a packed lunch by coming to the attendance office at 12pm on each day. To order your child’s packed lunch, please email their full name/s and year group to wes-office@attrust.org.uk by 12:00 on Tuesday 20 May to allow us to order and prepare the packed lunches. Whatever is ordered for day one will be repeated for day two.
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