No teachers will be replaced with support staff when an Isle of Wight primary school joins a mainland academy, its new headteacher has said, amid fears for the future of it staff.
In the spring term, Lanesend Primary School, in Cowes, will become part of the Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust.
It follows an Ofsted inspection last year, which saw the school downgraded from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’.
Staff retention concerns
The news had led to fears a number of teachers, including assistant headteachers, would be replaced by support staff.
However, headteacher, Vickie Sutton, who joined the school in September, has confirmed that is not the case.
No teachers being replaced
In a statement issued this week, she said,
“A restructure of the school has become necessary because of the fall in pupil numbers on the Island, increased staff costs and the impact of inflations, especially around utility costs.
“We have been consulting unions throughout this process.
“Despite these challenges, all staff are continuing to work hard so that every child is given the very best opportunities.
“We cannot comment any further as the full consultation has not yet concluded, but we can confirm neither the two assistant headteachers or any class teachers are being replaced by support staff.”
When asked specifically if any other members of the school staff were being made redundant, Mrs Sutton said she could not comment.
Restructure not related to joining multi-academy trust
Mrs Sutton confirmed the restructure is not related to the school joining the multi-academy trust, but said it was down to the challenges faced with school finances.
The primary school has been in a stand-alone academy trust since 2014 but trustees of Lanesend, with support from the Department for Education, made the decision to join the multi-academy trust.
Enhancing school improvement
It was a strategic move, Mrs Sutton said, to enhance school improvement, school-to-school collaboration and access to wider support.
She said parents are aware of the move.
The Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust already runs other Island primary schools, including St Blasius C of E in Shanklin and St Francis Catholic and C o E in Ventnor.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
