Dear Students, Parents and Carers

You may have seen information in the press that the NEU trade union is taking industrial action by withdrawing labour from all sixth-form colleges nationally on Wednesday 1^st February. The unions are clear that they are in dispute with the Department for Education regarding the funding of colleges during the cost of living crisis, rather than their relationship with The City of Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College.  The college has been assessing options to prioritise students’ learning during strike action, particularly for students undertaking external examinations, controlled assessments that contribute to their final grades, and mock examinations.  Therefore, we have agreed on the following arrangements.

The college will remain open for all students on Wednesday 1^st February, with the additional measures below;

• Lessons, meetings and enrichment activities will take place as usual, in person, in college.
• If a teacher is on strike, students should develop their work independently, including Futures through UniFrog, PREP, revision, and assignments. They may do this in the usual classroom, the LRC, or another venue, including learning at home.
• Where teachers are unable to work in college because of strike action affecting their own children’s school, they will communicate to students how their learning will take place. This may be via an online Teams meeting or setting work in Teams for students to complete. Students may access the learning in the usual classroom, the LRC or another venue including learning at home.
• Students will be marked as present when they attend a face-to-face or online lesson or complete the work set by the teacher during the lesson.
• Students will be able to access the catering services as usual, including free tea and toast, and access to two cooked meals for College Bursary students.  If you would like further information about financial assistance through the College Bursary scheme, please ask in college or access the materials on the college website.
• The college open evening is also taking place on Wednesday 1^st February.  We really appreciate student helpers in subject areas and as guides around the college. 

If you have questions about the lessons and learning on 1^st February or the open evening, please could students talk to their teachers and progress coach in the first instance. 

Yours faithfully,
The Senior Management Team