Job Fears At Sandown's Bay CE School - "Appalling" Treatment Of Staff Slammed

More than a dozen staff across Sandown's The Bay CE School sites face losing their jobs as part of cost-cutting plans, unions claim.

While no final decisions have yet been made, the Isle of Wight Council says action needs to be taken because the school is operating on a 'deficit'.

The local authority says the academy currently has a staffing model which is 'unaffordable'.

A consultation is being carried out to discuss options, but concerns have been raised by unions.

GMB, Unison, NASUWT and NEU unions say proposals raise more questions than give answers.

It's claimed plans could see up to 15 jobs axed, with remaining staff suffering detrimental changes to their working hours and other terms and conditions. 

Adrian Baker, GMB Union Regional Organiser, said: 

“The strength of feeling of the staff on this matter is quite extraordinary. They feel that above all else, the pupils and the wider community will suffer as a result of these changes due to a heavily increased workload leaving less time available to both fulfil their roles to the best of their ability, and support the most important part of any school, the pupils."

Meanwhile, the academy’s financial statements are a mess, GMB claims.

Unions are requesting that the process be scrapped and a fresh review of all financial detail and potential impacts made. 

Mr Baker added:

“All unions have concerns relating to the figures given, the impact of the cuts on safeguarding, health and safety and morale at the school, as well as the impact on young people within the community.  

"There has been a stop-start mechanism to this process due to the pandemic and all unions involved believe that a fresh approach needs to be taken with a review of the proposals, an impact assessment on all roles going forward and that an updated set of figures be presented by the employer.” 

An employee at the school, which was formerly run by Academies Enterprise Trust, said she was appalled at the treatment of staff over the past few years.

The staff member, who wishes to remain anonymous, said:

“The consultation is being based on other secondary school models and not on our school or how it will operate under the staffing mechanism of others.  

“We are dealing with an old school spread over three buildings, students from poor, vulnerable homes, higher rates of mental health problems after covid, more behaviour problems after covid, future building works, rooms not fit for purpose, large class sizes, teachers teaching many subjects and they should be taking all of these things into consideration. 

“I am appalled by the treatment of the staff over the past few years. We had the news of the consultation previously which was stressful and upsetting with it then being put on hold as we were thrown into covid.  

“It saddens me that the very people who are potentially being made redundant or loosing pay are the very people who kept the school going throughout all the lockdowns. The very staff who have been in for the children at their own risk, and many caught covid themselves. The very people who tested thousands of students and staff with less protection than the NHS. Only now to be treated like this: shown the door or forced to do the same job or joint roles for less money.  

“I am genuinely worried about the safety, the level of education and the happiness of our students if this goes ahead. If they took away one member of the leadership team it would pay for 4fourof us, who are on the floor helping run the school. 

“I'm so fed up with them putting money above safety, well-being, education, support and community.” 

The Isle of Wight Council, responding on behalf of the school and the local education authority, said options are being discussed.

A spokesperson said:

“The school is currently rapidly improving and going from strength to strength, with its popularity reflected in strong admissions.

“The school, however, is currently operating at a deficit and needs to take actions to ensure its long term stability – in particular it has a staffing model which is currently unaffordable.

“In relation to this, options are at present out to consultation, and school leaders and governors will be considering all comments before any final decision."

The council says the school is considering extending the consultation period in order to provide further information.

It follows a meeting with staff and with professional association representatives.

*Updated*

A spokesperson for The Bay CE said:

"Our commitment to improving The Bay CE School for its students leads us to the position where we need to look carefully at the structure, number and responsibilities of current posts. As a result of this we are creating a number of new posts, and removing posts that no longer as effectively serve the needs of the pupils in the school. We can confirm that we are currently in consultation with staff and professional associations regarding this. This is to ensure that The Bay's staffing structure supports the education of our young people in achieving their best within the financial circumstances in which we are currently operating.

"The Bay CE School is committed to supporting staff wellbeing at this difficult time and will ensure all steps are taken to negate any redundancies where possible."