TEACHERS FACE THE AXE AMID CUTS
Talks over potential redundancies:
ONE of Anglesey’s largest secondary schools is considering laying off staff as it looks to make budget cuts.
Holyhead High school has started a consultation with its staff into possible redundancies, which could result in cuts to the Welsh, PE, and design technology departments.
Union leader John Unsworth, secretary of the National Union of Teachers on Anglesey, said: “Schools are underfunded and we fear we may be faced with more redundancies which can only mean higher class sizes and difficulties maintaining standards.
“The school has had financial difficulties for a few years now.
“We assisted the head in taking a case to the local authority that the school had been underfunded, they reached a balanced budget in 2015 but they are now in quite a considerable deficit.
“We are hoping they will avoid compulsory redundancies. The head has made a good financial case and best practice has been followed to date in that they have called for voluntary redundancies.”
Anglesey AM Rhun ap Iorwerth blamed government cuts for forcing schools to look at drastic measures to save money.
He said: “As a secondary school parent and governor myself, I know ever tighter funding settlements are forcing schools to make very difficult decisions.
“Historic underfunding by Welsh Government and local government, coupled with the UK Government’s relentless drive to cut public spending, is leading to desperately inadequate funding for schools.”
Island MP Albert Owen said: “I’m disappointed to hear of the potential job losses and hope it can be resolved by the school and unions.”
The council had revealed plans to save more than £3 million including cutting school budgets by £490,000, sparking fears that this would lead to redundancies.
A spokesperson on behalf of the education authority said: “It would be inappropriate to offer any comment as all staffing issues are confidential processes undertaken with staff and governing bodies in consultation with the relevant unions.”
The 885-pupil school is one of the largest on the island and was recently rated by the Welsh Government as being an effective school.
Holyhead county councillor, and chair of the board of governors at Holyhead High, Trefor Lloyd Hughes, said: “At the moment I cannot speak about it, it’s in consultation that will finish 30 days after it was started last week. Everything is being looked at financially. It’s not true that we are the only ones looking at redundancies but it is unfortunate.
“I’m not saying anyone is going at the moment. The school is working with staff and the unions: we are hoping to give out more information after the consultation.”