Dear Parents and Carers,

You will be aware from coverage in the media that members of the NEU in England and Wales have voted to take strike action in London on:

• Wednesday 1 February
• Thursday 2 March
• Wednesday 15 March
• Thursday 16 March

Although the Girls’ Learning Trust is the employer of staff at our schools - Carshalton High School for Girls, Nonsuch High School for Girls and Wallington High School for Girls - this dispute is between the government and teachers and concerns the funding of schools, the erosion of educators’ pay and the subsequent difficulties this causes for recruitment, especially in shortage subjects.

While schools should remain open if possible, Headteachers are currently carrying out risk assessments of the likely impact of strike action on the safe supervision of young people given the anticipated significantly reduced teacher staffing levels across all three schools. This will take a few days. While some schools may need to close to students, others may provide a limited offer to specific groups of students.

We are conscious that school closures inconveniences parents/carers and disrupts learners’ education, and you will be given as much notice as possible of the arrangements for your daughter’s school.

Finally, although the Trust has been formally notified by trade union of their intention to strike, there is also the possibility that through ongoing negotiations the strike may not take place. We will keep you informed as the situation develops through the usual communication channels of your daughter’s school and via this website.

Yours sincerely,

Jennifer Smith
CEO