Dear Parents/Carers/Children/Residents of Harold Hill,

We write this to you with very heavy hearts.We feel we owe you an explanation. Last year we were informed that restructuring would be happening at our school. At the beginning of February this year we were given the consultation papers outlining their proposals. Many of us have worked at the school for over 16 years. Every member of support staff have supported your children, supported your families and continue to do so.

Now Drapes Pyrgo staff have been told that we will be losing hours. Our hours and pay grades are being cut and we will be expected to carry out extra duties. These proposals will have a detrimental effect on your children's studies, because we'll be stretched too thinly to give each child the attention and care they deserve and should expect from school. Pyrgo's support staff do everything from medical care, through to individual learning for students who need a little more help, this also includes taking care of the library and emotional and physical wellbeing. During the pandemic, children suffered academically, as well as from mental health and anxiety issues and we've been on hand to help. On top of this, we'll also be expected to lead classes on occasion. Therefore, reducing staff and expecting support staff to do a lot more, with a lot less is not fair on your children or us.

As a result, staff are being forced to resign because of these outrageous proposals. One of our long serving, passionate, devoted, experienced safeguarding team member resigned and has left our school. Like us, all she worked above and beyond for your children, the school and the community of Harold Hill. She has worked tirelesly for Drapers Pyrgo, but left because they wanted to downgrade her and expected her to take a vast pay cut – the job she did was pricesless. Her leaving, is such a tragic loss to us all. Now our other long serving safeguarding team member has an even bigger workload and she is expected to accept being downgraded, as well as many other members of staff including pay cuts! This will have a damaging effect on your children's safety and education. Your children deserve better!

As you can imagine the morale of those affected is at rock bottom. All aspects of the proposed restructuring has affected it. As staff members, we do not feel appreciated or valued.

Support staff are an integral part of a child's day to day school life. Our roles should NOT be cut. Drapers Pyrgo have had months to fix this.

We sincerely hope, that you understand and will support us in our decision to strike as we fight to continue doing the best for your children!