Dear Students, Parents and Carers,

I am writing to inform you that there is industrial action taking place by the National Education Union (NEU), on Thursday 28th November.  The college has a large number of teaching staff who are members of the NEU and they are taking action over pay and funding for Sixth Form Colleges. If you would like further information the letter from the NEU to the Secretary of State is here. 

As a result of this action, the college will be closed on Thursday 28th November and any lessons taking place will be ONLINE.  However if students need a warm, productive space to be our library and study spaces will be open.  If this is the case please email: information@varndean.ac.uk so we can make arrangements. 

Some lessons may still go ahead online if they are delivered by  teaching staff who are not participating in industrial action. They will let students know this on an individual basis. We are unable to let you know this in advance of Thursday since we do not know which teachers are taking action and we ask you not to contact staff to ask them directly.

I apologise for the disruption this causes and will keep you up to date should the action not take place. 

Further planned dates for industrial action are as follows:

Tuesday 3rd December

Wednesday 4th December

At the moment I do not know if the planned further action will take place. You may also note that the 4th December is a planned Yr 1 parents evening. At the moment we have not made a decision on these dates and I will get back to you as soon as possible as to if the parents' evening will take place. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

I will ensure that I keep you informed of any changes or updates to this. 

Best wishes,

Donna-Marie Janson

Principal