![\"Stephen](\"https:\/\/schoolsweek.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Stephen-Morales-movers-300px.jpg\")
\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be surprised to see leaders make difficult decisions, and it\u2019s inevitable disputes with unions will emerge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walk out by support staff<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Support staff in Unison will walk out next week at the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic MAT, affecting 14 schools in the east Midlands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The union claimed trust plans will see \u201cpay significantly reduced\u201d and \u201csubstantial reductions across key roles\u201d, including teaching assistants, administrative staff and chaplaincy teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Josie Lloyd, of Unison, said: \u201cSlashing the wages of some of the lowest-paid employees, while expecting them to do the same or even more work, is neither fair nor sustainable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
St Ralph\u2019s latest accounts show it ended last year \u00a39.2 million in the red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Department for Education issued a notice to improve in February, its second in three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It told the chain to \u201cprovide evidence it is expediting efficiencies to bring in-year savings, including staff restructuring\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CEO Kevin Gritton said he has worked with the DfE on a financial recovery plan, with changes planned to \u201cstaffing structures at some schools and our central team\u201d. Consultation is underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe hope to achieve the savings we need to through voluntary means, and compulsory redundancies would always be a last resort.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Falling rolls blamed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Unison staff will also strike at eight schools in the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic MAT in the same region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
James McGeachie, trust CEO, said the chain was working with academies to improve its finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it has \u201ca small number”, most with falling rolls, where savings “have not been high enough\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McGeachie launched a consultation on \u201cnew staffing structures for these schools\u201d to bring employee numbers \u201cmore in line\u201d with DfE-recommended levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Confederation of School Trusts\u2019 (CST) annual survey revealed many CEOs were looking at cutting staff to balance the books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Unison said members working for Our Lady of Lourdes and St Ralph fear the proposals could mean children \u201close access to essential support and supervision\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
iPad reviews and funding questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile in Rochdale, teachers at St Cuthbert\u2019s RC High School went on strike last month over allegations of \u201cviolent and abusive behaviour from some pupils\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Union NASUWT accused its trust, St Theresa of Calcutta, of stripping the school of staff and resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Councillors penned an open letter questioning the size of St Teresa\u2019s top slice, and a planned restructure. The trust declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier this year staff across 20 Arthur Terry Learning Partnership schools also walked out over planned redundancies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The trust \u2013 which has a deficit of over \u00a38 million \u2013 later \u201cagreed to end all current consultations linked to staffing restructures\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, it hopes to secure its financial recovery by \u201chonouring all voluntary redundancy requests\u201d and restructuring roles and responsibilities among central team members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is also consulting on the next phase of its controversial use of iPads, having bought 5,500 devices and leased 5,500 more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n