Hundreds of staff affected by the decision to axe Serco’s £345 million contract to run Walsall’s schools were today told not to panic as bosses will take a “sensible and measured” approach to their futures.

Executives said there would be two years of negotiations before decisions were made.

They also highlighted some of the options being considered once the contract termination’s two-year notice period comes to a close. Bosses said employees may simply transfer over to the council.

Or, they could stay with the private firm and work on other things, such as one-to-one deals with individual schools or projects with the council.

Serco, based at the Education Development Centre in Pelsall Lane, Rushall, employs 400 people but 90 jobs have already been axed this year.

The decision to terminate the Serco contract was made by Walsall Council’s cabinet this week, with the high numbers of schools opting for academy status, thus taking control of their own affairs, cited as the main reason.

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