Tapton School confirms two days of strike action this week amid GCSE and A-Level exams
A number of students will be asked not to come to school this week
One of Sheffield’s top performing secondary schools will ask some pupils to learn from home this week amid strike action.
Union members at Tapton School will strike for six days in June over redundancy and pay concerns.
It comes as students have returned for their final summer term amid exam season for Y11 and Y13 pupils.
Following last minute talks, Tapton’s co-heads, Harkiran Grewal and Anna Siddell, have written home to parents saying strikes will go ahead on Wednesday and Thursday this week (June 10-11).
It means some pupils will be asked to stay home and learn remotely so teachers not taking park in the walkout can safely staff the school for exams.
The letter reads: “We have a number of teachers and members of support staff who may take strike action, and we will not know the number of staff in school until the morning of any strike day.
“School will remain open for students in Year 11 and Year 13 taking GCSE and A Level exams. Exams will run as normal [...].
“However, due to reduced staffing levels we are reducing the number of pupils in school.”
Measures include asking several year groups to learn remotely and complete homework. However, several school trips including a Duke of Edinburgh trek will carry on as planned.
Additionally, pupils entitled to free school meals can collect a ‘grab bag’ from reception on both days.
The letter concludes: “We understand the difficulty that the strike days may pose for our families and would like to reiterate that all decisions for the strike days have been taken to ensure the health and safety of all our students.”
Industrial action led by the National Education Union at Tapton School is scheduled for:
- Wednesday, June 10
- Thursday, June 11
- Tuesday, June 16
- Wednesday, June 17
- Thursday, June 18
It comes after the school’s academy trust, INOVA, consulted on cost-saving cuts in its “finance, HR, IT and estates.”
The trust denies there will be any compulsory redundancies.
Previously, a letter home to parents claimed there had been “inaccurate information circulating regarding the proposals”.