Strike Action

25 January 2023

Dear Parent/Carer

1 February (whole country)
| 28 February (Northern, North West, Yorks & Humber) 
15 March (whole country)
| 16 March whole country)

As you may have seen, the National Education Union (NEU) has confirmed that their teaching members will be taking industrial action in the form of strike days.  The first date scheduled is Wednesday 01 February.  The other three dates are Tuesday 28 February, Wednesday 15 March  and Thursday 16 March but we will update you of the plans closer to those dates as the Secretary of State is meeting with trade unions to try to resolve the outstanding issues.  

This action is not against Outwood Academy Hindley itself but is part of national industrial action organised by the trade unions about salary negotiations with the Department for Education.

Neither the Outwood Grange Academies Trust Board nor myself as Principal are legally allowed to close the academy in sympathy with the strike, and we will not do so.    However, our main concern is the health and safety of our students.  The academy will only close (partially or fully) if, in our opinion and following a full risk assessment, it is not safe to remain open.

Due to the number of staff taking action, we have made the difficult decision to close the academy on the first day 01 February to all students apart from Year 11 who will be expected to attend as normal.  Vulnerable students can also attend as normal.  We will update you again about the plan for the academy before the next proposed strike date.

Whilst the academy will be closed to some students, online learning via Google Classroom will be available to all students and students will be expected to complete the work set.

Students in all year groups who are in receipt of free school meals may attend between 11am and 12pm to collect a grab bag lunch. These can be collected via the student entrance.  If you are entitled to a free school meal and would like to collect one, please complete the attached Google Form

The school buses will be running as normal.

In order to ensure that we can communicate any changes to these plans at short notice; which may include on the day itself, we are asking parents/carers to ensure that we hold up to date emergency contact details.  If you do need to make any changes, please send to our dedicated email address for this purpose enquires@hindley.outwood.com.  We will always endeavour to minimise disruption as much as possible.

We understand that there will be concerns about the disruption but we want to give you this advance notice and thank you in advance for your patience and understanding at this time.

Yours faithfully

Principal