Croydon SEN school balloted for strike action over ‘irresponsible’ academy transfer
Staff at a special educational needs school are being balloted by their union over a transfer to an academy trust.
Red Gates School, in Farnborough Avenue, Croydon, is a specialist school educating children with high to severe special educational needs. It has a ratio of two highly specialised support staff for each pupil.
GMB union is opposing the academisation because of the specialised nature of the pupils needs and the staff, as well as the size of the school.
GMB members at Red Gates Special School in Croydon are determined to fight back against the academisation of their school. The industrial action ballot opens tomorrow✊
The Governors need to listen. It is a bad decision for the Staff, Children and the School #HandsOffRedGates pic.twitter.com/YozNgHDeQ0
— Rachael (@baylis_rachael) March 14, 2023
The ballot opened last Wednesday and will close on April 3, with any action to take place after the Easter holidays.
Rachael Baylis, GMB Organising Assistant, said: “GMB members at Red Gates are concerned at what this would mean for their jobs but most importantly for the children themselves.
“The Governors announced their decision in November without any prior discussion with staff at the school and have so far failed to give any assurances about what improvements they see this transfer bringing other than vague references to ‘stability’.
“We have real concerns that the academy trust do not understand the complexity of the needs at the school and actually believe they can reduce costs by cutting support for some of the most vulnerable pupils.
“The transfer will only have a detrimental impact on pupils, their families and staff and is nothing short of irresponsible.”
Red Gate School has been approached for comment.
Pictured Top: GMB members at Red Gates Special School in Croydon (Picture: Rachael Baylis)