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Parents and Carers Update: September Start, Industrial Action and Uniform Information

Thursday 23 July 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to update you following the requests I made to NEU representatives last Wednesday.

I asked the union to consider the following:

  • Postponing industrial action for Terms 1 and 2, allowing the school time to embed our revised behaviour and reward systems and to train staff to implement these consistently.
  • Providing feedback by 21 July so that families could be updated before the summer break.
  • Avoiding the scheduling of strike days during the holiday period, as this restricts opportunities for negotiation, and not taking action at the very start of the new academic year.

My commitment remains to support our school community, deliver the improvements needed at Hanham Woods Academy, and work towards greater stability so that further industrial action can be avoided.

The NEU has now provided the following response:

  • Due to technical issues, illness and capacity, members will not be polled until later this week.
  • The representative confirmed that there will be no industrial action for at least the first couple of weeks of term.

I recognise that this update will be disappointing for families. I will continue to engage in negotiations throughout the summer, though I anticipate challenges due to the holiday period.

Start of Term Arrangements

Monday 7 September –

Year 7 arrive at 8.30am.

Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 arrive at 10.15am.

All students will begin their 1st session with their tutor, normal timetable lessons will commence from Session 3.

Tuesday 8 September

All year groups arrive 8.35am and attend their normal school timetable.

Please find enclosed the updated Uniform policy for the next Academic year, thank you supporting the high standards at Hanham Woods Academy. HWA_Uniform Policy_2006 27 .pdf

Thank you for your continued support. I hope you have a wonderful and restful summer break. I look forward to welcoming the Hanham community back in September.

Yours sincerely

Mrs K Cooper

Senior Principal