Dear Parents/Carers of children in Year 10

Industrial Action, Wednesday 5 and Friday 7 July 2023

I emailed you last week to advise you that the school would probably need to close on the above two dates in response to industrial action being led by the NEU. Harton has a very large number of NEU members on strike on these two days, as has been the case on the previous occasions this academic year. The two days in July fall during our Activities Week, and unfortunately, the school will be closed to all Year 10 students on Wednesday 5 and Friday 7 July.

Please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the following information, directly related to the 5 and 7 July only.

Wednesday 5^th:

• The planned Activity Week sessions on mock interviews and assessment centres have unfortunately been cancelled.
• Year 10 students are not expected to attend school. These activities will be re-arranged during their Personal Development lessons in the next academic year.
• Students are encouraged to use this time to update their CVs, explore the websites of South Tyneside College and Northumbria University following their visit, and explore Unifrog for the range of careers available in the working world.

Friday 7^th:

• Year 10 students are not expected to attend school.
• Students who have arranged their work experience placements should attend their placement as usual.
• There are a number of students who have placements that may not be able to go ahead, e.g. in a primary school, which may be closed due to the industrial action.
• Some students have not been able to gain a work experience placement.
• Those students not attending a work experience placement should use the Springpod virtual work experience programme at home. Details of how to log on will be e-mailed to students.

In closing, Miss Walker will be in touch next Tuesday 4^th with details about additional remote working. She will provide you with a website link for suggested activities, if your child wishes to do work in addition to the above.

Once again, many thanks for your continued support during this period of industrial action.

Mr D. R. Amos
Acting Head Teacher