Jobs misery as schools staff face axe in Leicester
Cash-strapped schools in Leicester are looking to cut a number of teaching assistants' posts, union leaders said today.
They said several primary schools in the city are to lay off staff because of "financial difficulties".
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Gary Garner, secretary of Unison in Leicester
The news came as part of a bleak day for the county's workforce, with other major employers also revealing job cuts.
Twycross Zoo announced it was being forced to make redundancies for the first time in its history. And Leicestershire's manufacturing industry took another blow as a city engineering firm said it was axing around 40 posts.
A handful of redundancies have been made in Leicester's schools so far, but union leaders warn more will follow.
Gary Garner, secretary of Unison in Leicester, said: "Unison has become alarmed at the number of primary schools reporting financial difficulties.
"This has resulted in a number of schools carrying out a review of staffing and teaching assistants are being targeted for cuts."
Unison said Slater Primary, in Frog Island, Leicester, has had to carry out a review, leading to the loss of four teaching assistant posts. The union also reported that nine redundancies have taken place or are planned at Woodstock Primary in Stocking Farm, and Medway Primary in Highfields. Cuts in teaching assistant hours have also been proposed at Rolleston Primary, Eyres Monsell.
Mr Garner said information received from Leicester City Council also indicated staffing reviews at Mellor Primary, Belgrave; Keyham Lodge School, Hamilton; Northfield House Primary, Northfields; Queensmead Primary and Caldecote Primary, both in Braunstone; Wyvern Primary, Rushey Mead; Humberstone Juniors; Evington Valley Primary; and Fosse Primary, in Woodgate. The council could not confirm the proposed redundancies yesterday. It is also not clear what has caused the financial difficulties.
However, councillor Vi Dempster, cabinet education spokeswoman, said the authority was considering requests from schools for emergency funds.
She said: "We're aware this is an issue and we're working closely with these schools."
Twycross Zoo has had to make 12 redundancies for the first time in its 45-year history.
Spokeswoman Kim Riley said jobs had gone in gardening, marketing, administration and catering, but not in animal care.
Engineering company Jones and Shipman Precision, in Braunstone Frith, Leicester, announced it is looking at almost halving its workforce of more than 90 people.
The 115-year-old firm, which makes parts used in machines for building cars, computers and planes, has seen "an overwhelming international downturn in demand".
Mike Duignan, managing director, said "no more than" 40 posts would be affected. Staff were told of the proposals on Monday.
Twenty jobs have also been lost in Loughborough with the closure of Charnwood Country Club, which includes a restaurant, a golf range and a wedding venue, after a sharp drop in trade.
Latest figures show the county's dole queue had recently shrunk - falling by 124 between May and June, to 24,173.
54 Comments
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by ianr, melton
Friday, July 24 2009, 11:11AM
“I wonder how many of those who say that teachers have an easy job would swap places for a week or even just for a day.And no, I am not a teacher.”
by ianr, melton
Friday, July 24 2009, 11:10AM
“It is so obvious from some of the posts on here thay they are ignorant of the role that TA 's have.
They are not teachers and do not need to have the qualifications a teacher needs.
They ASSIST ( thats why they are called assistants) teaching staff in the general running of the classroom and without them how do you think that all the other jobs get done.
If parents ensured that their little darlings could just do things like tie their own shoelaces,get dressed and heaven forbid wipe their own backsides when they have been to the toilet then maybe staff would have a bit more time to spend on the actual education.
So many parents think it is fantastic that young Billy or sally can read so and so and count to such a number but they don't understand what they are reading.”
by Gem, Leicester
Thursday, July 23 2009, 2:27PM
“I have worked within schools as a peripatetic instructor, and I have taught whole classes. Without the assistance of the TAs, I would not have been able to run the whole class lessons and keep an eye on every single child. If there were any students misbehaving, or any students not taking part in the lesson, the TAs sat with them and made sure that they completed other work. The students were aware that this was their job, and the majority of them liked the TAs, and every single one of them did what the TAs asked, they held that much respect. The TAs made sure that my comments were passed on to the teachers, for compliments and complaints against the students, and they did it all, week in, week out, with smiles on their faces. I would not like to have to work in the same situation without the assistance from the TAs, and I only worked in schools part-time, so I would understand if the teachers and the students would miss any TAs who may unfortunately lose their jobs due to budget cuts.”
by CJ, Leices
Thursday, July 23 2009, 12:03PM
“Bobbie you are a gent sir.
As for the comment regarding my so called sex change, the only small mistake you made, apart from the writing style and poor English was the fact you can¿t even copy and paste right. I always sign it, ¿CJ, Leics, not ¿CJ Leic¿ so maybe try again soon?
So better luck next time and how sad are you lot, I go quite for the rest of the day and the posts stop? You so need me in your lives, you flatter me Leicester, thank you.”
by D, Leicestershire
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 2:30PM
“To the moderator; is Jade's comment about 'road accident victim teachers' acceptable for this forum? I think it's beneath contempt.”
by Taxpayer, Leicester
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 2:25PM
“Its amazing is'nt it? A few weeks ago there was an article about Leicester City Council employing management consultants to advise head teachers working in deprived areas of the city. I think the total cost was going to be £500,000 for up to eighteen days work. This is where the cash is going!! Oops, I forgot.....this comes from a different budget doesn't it?”
by Bobbi, LE1
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 2:14PM
“CJ, as you know I often agree with you.
I have to say I admire your courage and your ability to construct a convincing argument.”
by Concerned Citizen, Leicester
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 1:18PM
“My wife is a TA and evey eyar she receives so many gifts from the pupils and Parents thanking her for all the support.
It is the govenment and LCC that are making tenforcing new targets, laws and hinderances. Children will make our society in the future - what we put in them today is what they will give out tomorrow. They should be our No 1 priority if we want Britain to be Great again.”
by Pam, Oadby
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 1:00PM
“CJ - That explains your weird behavious then. I always thought you was a strange one. Anyway Christine I will plod along with my day and leave you to do your make up.”
by Pablo, Birmingham
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 12:53PM
“CJ of Leic - thanks for making me laugh with your latest reply! Everyone else, get back to work, lunch break nearly over!”