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The last few years have been very strange times in education and the impact of the pandemic and everything that has happened since has been unprecedented. No group of students has felt this more than our Class of 2023 and yet… you’ve achieved so much!

The below letter was sent to students, parents and carers on Friday 30 June.

Dear Students, Parents & Carers,

I would like to let you know the arrangements for Wednesday 5th July when some teachers at Connell will be taking industrial action or are affected by industrial action taking place at schools where their own children attend. Friday 7th July will be a Wellbeing Day and all students are encouraged to attend. This will not be impacted by industrial action.

Any student with a lesson on Wednesday will receive an email confirming arrangements for their lessons on Tuesday at 4:30pm.

We will be unable to confirm arrangements in a few cases – these students will receive a further message on Wednesday morning just after 8:30am when we will know for sure which teachers are taking industrial action/are impacted by decisions at the schools their children attend. We will send this by text and email and will also send a copy to parents/carers

Please note that any sessions with CITC coaching staff will not be impacted by industrial action and will take place as normal. 

Any student whose lesson does not take place will be awarded an attendance mark of X – not required to attend College for that lesson. Their attendance will not be impacted for that lesson. 

Students who normally have a full day of lessons may find that their morning or afternoon lesson is cancelled while the other goes ahead. They must still attend the lesson that is going ahead – failure to do so will be treated as an unauthorised absence. 

I would like to remind you that this is a national day of industrial action, in relation to a dispute with the Government about pay, which you will also have seen in other sectors. To be clear, this is not a dispute about the operation of our College.

I would like to remind all students to respect the personal and professional choices their teachers make with regards to this period of industrial action. 

Where lessons cannot take place, students will be directed to work independently. 

Some teachers may set specific work, others will expect students to choose how best to study on this day. 

If a student is not sure what to do during a cancelled lesson, revisiting previous lessons or assessments is always beneficial. Alternatively, students could use the time for research on university courses, apprenticeships, work experience or volunteering opportunities (see the Friday Notes for the latest information)

The College will be fully open to students who wish to come to College to study. The refectory, free college meals and all our usual pastoral support will be fully operational.

If you have an urgent question or concern, please contact us by email to info@connell.ac.uk.

Best wishes

Emma Soper

Principal