February 2023
Dear Families,
I recently wrote to you explaining that there was national strike action by the National Education Union on Wednesday 1st March and that this would disrupt the Academy. This is a national dispute between the unions and the government and not an action due to any events at the Academy.
Unfortunately, as last month we have taken the difficult decision to close on this day as we do not feel we will have sufficient staff on hand to provide a safe, quality experience for all students.
Therefore, no students should attend the Academy on Wednesday 1st March 2023.
We will as I mentioned in my previous letter have a small amount of provision available for vulnerable students and those of critical workers. If you feel you have no alternative options and fit one of these categories, please contact the Academy main reception at info@wbca.shirelandcat.net.
If your child is eligible for free school meals, we will be sending out a voucher to the value of £2.50 to cover the cost of the meal your child would have had with us that day. This should arrive by email.I’m sorry about the disruption to you and to your child’s education. I apologise being so late in confirming the closure. We had hoped that the situation may have been resolved between the union and the government during their ongoing talks.
Work for students during the Closure:
The Department for Education have asked that where schools are forced to close, they provide learning opportunities for students.
Therefore, on Wednesday, work will be provided online for your child, with a number of activities linking to their current studies. Activities for students will be provided through an email, student portal and available on the Academy website.
West Bromwich Collegiate Academy and Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our students and we must have appropriate staffing ratios to do so. Again, my apologies and we will be up as running as normal on Thursday.
Yours sincerely
George Faux
Principal
