Townfield Primary School has come under fire as it has progressed with a “heartless” staffing restructure process in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
The controversial restructure process could lead to staff who work at the Birkenhead school facing cuts to their pay and conditions, or even losing their jobs. Head Teacher Moira Loftus informed UNISON of her intention to press ahead with a consultation that could to as many as 24 school support staff facing compulsory redundancy.
Townfield Primary School has experienced ongoing financial issues and has faced allegations of financial mismanagement. An investigation of the school’s finances by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) was due to report imminently- but its findings have been delayed as a result of the ongoing public health emergency. The school has not yet published its accounts for the last financial year.
Wirral UNISON branch secretary David Jones said: “It’s outrageous that Townfield have chosen to plough on with this restructure at this time. School support staff are doing all they can to ensure key workers’ children are looked after during this crisis, and yet they’re rewarded by the possibility of losing their jobs.
“Every other school in Wirral has paused consultations such as this one during the current crisis. Why does Townfield feel the need to create this unnecessary stress for its dedicated school staff by pressing on with this process?
“Wirral UNISON believes that it is completely inappropriate to continue this consultation process whilst we still waiting to see the results of ESFA’s investigation into the school’s finances, and indeed the schools own accounts from the last year.
“We believe that all of our focus should be on combating coronavirus, not making school support staff redundant. We will be consulting with our members on further action, but we urge the school, at this time of national crisis- please think again.”
Published on: April 9, 2020