Industrial Action

A copy of the media statements issued during week commencing 19th November:

Daily Mirror 21/11/18

"We’ve always been clear about our financial position and the significant budget shortfall for 2019/2020. This is not a local issue and pressures on school funding has been well documented in the media over the last few years.

In the past, we've used different ways of limiting the financial impact upon the school without the need to consider reducing our staffing structure.

We've reached the point where we are unable to continue to operate within our financial budget and as a consequence we've had to review our staffing structure.

In a genuine attempt to reach a compromise solution the Governing Body Redundancy Committee has agreed and shared a number of alternative proposals with all of the Trade Unions. The School and Trade Unions are maintaining a dialogue to work towards a resolution of the dispute with revised proposals being shared between the parties whilst consultation continues.

It is disappointing that staff have felt it necessary to make public comments at such a crucial phase of the consultations and dispute resolution discussions with Trade Unions.

I would like to reassure all parents and carers that arrangements are in place to make sure children are supervised over the lunchtime period. School meal options and after school club provision is not affected by the industrial action.

We are doing all we can to protect our children, their parents and carers and the school from the wider effects of this industrial action. The safety, well-being and educational needs of the children will always be our main priorities".

Barnsley Chronicle 22/11/18

"With regards to the industrial dispute and consultation we are in discussions with Trade Unions and we have nothing further to add at this stage. In respect of the reproach of the utilisation of a school dog, George is a school dog in training. Whilst there is a slight cost, School dogs have proven therapeutic benefits with vulnerable children and several schools within the Borough utilise school dogs".