The West Sussex approach puts the child first. We work with children, families, communities, our partners and schools in a restorative, strength based way. Strong relationships are at the heart of what we do.
Broadcast for Early Years and childcare providers in West Sussex from West Sussex County Council
Difficulty viewing this bulletin? Click here to view in your browser.
Thursday 26 January 2023
We are sure you are well aware of the upcoming teacher strikes in schools which are due to take place as follows:
- 1 February – all schools in England and Wales
- 2 March – south-east and south-west England and London
- 15 and 16 March – two-day strike of all schools in England and Wales
There was also a vote to strike for support staff, however despite members being ‘hugely’ in favour of action, there was not enough support to meet the legal threshold. Headteachers in England will not be taking part in the strike action.
We are confident that you will have already considered any potential impacts from this strike action but if not you may wish to consider the following:
- If your setting is unable to open because your staff have to take the day off, to care for their own children, you should follow your usual emergency closure procedures. This should include your own policies around whether or not staff unable to attend work will be paid or unpaid.
- If your setting does need to initiate an emergency closure, West Sussex County Council will not reclaim any Free Entitlement funding but would encourage you to make up the time later in the term where possible. However, these days cannot be carried over to the following, or any other subsequent term.
- If you are able to remain partially open, based on staffing capacity, you may wish to prioritise the places being made available to particular groups. For example more vulnerable children or working parents such as key workers. You may wish to consider a plan for all of the strike days to ensure access to their education entitlement is as fair and equitable as possible.
- If staff ask to bring in their own/older children to the setting you will still need to ensure that you are meeting staff ratios in line with your Ofsted registration and that you have the relevant insurance cover in place (that covers the upper age of children in attendance). We would also suggest undertaking a full risk assessment for having older aged children within the setting.
- If your setting is on a school site there may be concerns about crossing any picket lines. We suggest discussing this with the headteacher for your school site and see if there are alternative entrance routes. If not, then the headteacher could consider accompanying your staff across the picket line.
Once you know your plans for the days of the strikes, please communicate this clearly with families so they are clear what they can expect for their child and plan for any changes to their usual attendance.
While trade unions have informed their members of their intention to strike, there is also the possibility that through ongoing negotiations the strikes may not take place. Should there be any changes, these will likely be reported widely in the press, however we will continue to keep you informed through these broadcasts.
| 
