Schools are sharing a letter from Head of Education Nicola McDowell about proposed strike action affecting schools on 10, 11 and 16 January 2023. The letter is being sent to families by email.
Dear Parents and Carers
As you will no doubt be aware, further strike action has been declared by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), the Association of Head Teachers and Deputes Scotland (AHDS) and Scottish Secondary Schools Association (SSTA) in early/mid-January 2023.
At this point in time we are preparing for the above action to go ahead and all services affected have discussed the impact that this action will have on the health and safety of our children and young people given that there will be a significantly reduced number of teaching staff, including those in leadership positions in our schools and Early Learning and Childcare settings.
In preparing for the impact of these days I can give early and provisional notification of the following in relation to the strike days should they go ahead.
Tuesday 10th January 2023 (EIS - all teachers in Primary schools only and AHDS for all schools)
All East Lothian Council Primary schools and Early Learning and Childcare settings will be closed to all children and young people for learning on Tuesday 10th January 2023.
- Lets in Primary schools for breakfast, after school and sports clubs can continue
- All ASN and Home to School transport will not operate for primary pupils
- A BACs payment will be made for those children and young people who qualify for a free school meal under the income threshold and whose schools are closed
- Wednesday 11th January 2023 – (EIS and SSTA - all teachers in Secondary schools only)
Wednesday 11th January 2023 (EIS and SSTA – all teachers in Secondary schools only)
All East Lothian Council Secondary schools will be closed to all mainstream young people for learning on Wednesday 11th January 2023. The Additional Support Needs Hubs at Ross High School and Meadowpark will also be closed.
- Lets in Secondary schools for breakfast, after school and sports clubs can continue
- All ASN and Home to School transport will not operate for Secondary pupils
- A BACs payment will be made for those young people who qualify for a free school meal under the income threshold and whose schools are closed
Monday 16th January 2023 (EIS – all teachers Primary and Secondary schools and AHDS for all schools)
All East Lothian Council schools and Early Learning and Childcare settings will be closed to all children and young people for learning, including those who attend Additional Support Needs Hubs. For those Secondary schools who are running prelims that day, these will go ahead so the school will be open to those pupils only. Information for pupils and parents/carers in relation to arrangements on the day will be provided by the respective schools.
- Lets in schools for breakfast, after school and sports clubs can continue
- School crossing patrols will not be operational
- All ASN and Home to School transport will not operate
- A BACs payment will be made for those children and young people who qualify for a free school meal under the income threshold.
I know that this action will mean further disruption to learning, and that our families will have to make alternative childcare arrangements on that day and it is regrettable that we have had to make this decision, however ensuring the health and safety of our children and young people must take priority.
While the formal notification from the EIS, AHDS and SSTA states their intention to strike on these days, there remains a possibility that ongoing pay negotiations may mean that the strikes are called off. I will keep you informed of any further developments and arrangements via our website and your child’s school as soon as I can following the return from the Christmas break.