Ely College Announces Plans For Public Sector Strike Day

Ely College has announced plans for a partial closure of the school on the day of the Public Sector strike action in November, although the school has found a way to remain open for some students.

Due to the forthcoming strike on on Wednesday November 30, 2011, Ely College has decided that it can still accommodate Year 7 and Year 8 students, but all of the other year groups will be faced with a day off.

"I apologise for any inconvenience that the strike action has caused," said Principal Catherine Jenkinson-Dix, "but we have done the best we can to ensure that we can stay open and are able to safeguard our youngest students."

The strike is the response to Government proposals for changes to the pension arrangements for Public Sector workers. As a result, Ely College say they have been forced to take the decision because they will be unable to accommodate all students, as it is against the law to cover lessons with other teachers unless the covering teachers are members of the Senior Leadership Team.

In a statement, Catherine Jenkinson-Dix said: "Please be assured that we will offer the best education experience we can in the circumstances for those students in Year 7 and Year 8 throughout the day, although there may be one or two periods where they are taught in a larger group than normal or are shown a DVD related to the subject that they would normally be studying at that time.

"We hope that by staying open for the two youngest year groups, we have been able to alleviate some childcare issues as we are aware that these students should not be left alone at home at that age."

The college canteen will be open as usual for refreshments during the day, but will only provide a limited cold menu, including sandwiches and drinks. The college has also been advised by the Local Authority that the buses bringing students into college from Littleport and the surrounding villages will be running as normal.

OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Soham Village College will be closed on November 30 for the day of industrial action

Witchford Village College will be closed

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Ely St John's Primary School will be closed on November 30 for the day of industrial action

St Mary's Junior School will be open to all pupils excepting those in Classes 4LR and 4EW

Springmeadow Infant & Nursery School will be closed

Lantern Primary School will be closed

St Andrew's Primary School in Soham will be closed

Weatheralls Primary School in Soham will be partially open

Millfield Primary School in Littleport will be open

Littleport Primary School will be partially open

Little Downham Feoffees Primary School will be closed

Rackham Primary School in Witchford will be open

Robert Arkenstall Primary School in Haddenham will be open

Mepal and Witcham Primary School will be open

Fordham Primary School will be open

Little Thetford Primary School will be open

Stretham Primary School will be closed

Sutton Primary School will be closed

Isleham Primary School will be open