Transforming Our Primary Schools (TOPS)
Issues for staff in schools
What will happen to staff if our school closes or amalgamates?
If a school closes, then all posts in that school cease to exist.
If two or more schools are amalgamated then, legally, the existing schools are closed and a new school is opened.
So, again, all the posts in the existing schools cease to exist.
However, continuing provision will need to be made for the children and the numbers of children will be very similar in any new or alternative arrangement.
This means that appropriate staffing levels will be required.
In those circumstances, existing staff will be re-employed as far as possible in the new school or alternative provision.
The intention will be to avoid as far as possible staff being left without a job.
Who makes the decisions on appointment of school staff?
The governing body of a school has the power and responsibility to make staff appointments.
When a new school is to be established, a temporary governing body is set up in advance of the opening date in order to prepare for the new school.
Their responsibilities include including making staff appointments.
In consultation with trade unions, council staff draw up a staffing agreement for the reorganisation so that governing bodies give first consideration when making appointments to staff displaced from closing schools.
If my school is closed or amalgamated, will I be able to retire early? Are redundancy payments and enhancement available?
These staffing arrangements will follow national regulations and South Tyneside Council local policies.
Much will depend on the circumstances of the individual.
Staff are strongly urged to consult their unions or other professional advisers about their personal circumstances.
Council staff will also be available to advise on national and local arrangements and how they apply to individuals involved in school reorganisation.
Has the council got the capacity to support staff through all this disruption?
South Tyneside Council operates corporately. This means that the resources of the whole council, not just Children and Young People, are focused on this exercise.
Getting the proposals right, and then implementing them quickly and effectively will be a huge task, but we are motivated by knowing the outcome will be major improvements for our children’s futures.
