Three high schools ask year groups to stay at home during strikes

Two-day walkout taking place next month

Three of the Island's secondary schools have confirmed they'll be asking a number of year groups to stay at home again during teacher strikes next month.

Members of the NASUWT union are due to walkout in response to a dispute over pay and conditions on 11 and 12 January.

Queen Elizabeth II High School will keep its special provision centre open, while Sixth Form lessons will continue as normal.

Students in Year 12 and 13 will attend classes if their teacher is in, but otherwise are asked to study independently.

Year 11 should attend, with students asked to ensure they have revision material with them in preparation for mock exams the following week.

All other year groups at the Peel school are asked to stay at home, and access Google Classroom.

Meanwhile, Ballakermeen High School and St Ninian's High School are asking years 7 to 11 to study at home during the two-day strike.

Like QEII, both will also operate their special provision centres as normal, while A Level students are asked to attend, but be prepared to study independently if teachers aren't in.

Those who are eligible for free school lunches will be able to collect their lunches from Ballakermeen and QEII, while St Ninian's will be contacting those who normally receive meals to confirm arrangements.

In a letter to parents, QEII headteacher Charlotte Clarke says: "I am aware of the impact that this difficult decision may have on our families however, the above arrangements are essential in order to keep our students safe, as we anticipate that a significant number of our staff will not be in school as a result of strike action."

Chris Coole, headteacher at St Ninian's wrote: "I have been left with no other option given the potential number of teachers that may not be in work on the stated days."

Meanwhile, Ballakermeen's headteacher Graeme Corrin said: "I am again sorry to have to contact you with such disappointing news. I assure you that I would not be taking this difficult decision unless it was essential for the safety and wellbeing of our students."

Full details can be found on each schools' website.