Head defends jobs axe at top Wolverhampton school

Wolverhampton Girls' High School is laying off 11 staff.

It is the best school in the city, according to this year's secondary school league tables, and rated as 25th in the entire country.

Bosses have embarked on a cost-cutting drive because of recent financial pressures, but hope to avoid compulsory redundancies. Meanwhile teaching hours are increasing and pupil numbers are being increased by 60.

It is understood that so far five applications for voluntary redundancies have been accepted, with a further six positions set to be laid off.

No senior leadership positions will be made redundant. Compulsory redundancies will only be made if not enough staff apply for voluntary severance.

Headteacher Trudi Young said the school had been under financial pressure.

A source close to the school, who asked not to be named, said staff morale was 'at its lowest point', with a number of teachers said to be considering leaving. This is all being done on the basis of finance, without any consideration for the impact on staff or students," she said.

"They want to let staff go at the same time they are increasing the number of students. This will seriously compromise the quality of provision for students. Staff have had no say in what is going on. The governing body and senior leadership team have made every decision without consulting staff.

"Girls High has been a jewel in the city's crown for a long time, but what is happening there now does not bode well."

It is understood that face-to-face contact time between students and teachers will be reduced in some sixth form lessons as part of the plans.

Staff at the school are believed to have voiced their concerns to senior leaders, while teachers' union NASUWT has recently conducted a staff well-being survey.

Headteacher Mrs Young said: "In common with most public sector organisations, Wolverhampton Girls' High School has been under financial pressure and endeavouring to balance the in year budget.

"We have taken a number of steps to improve the situation including: converting to become an academy, restructuring our support staff and increasing the number of students on roll.

"However the coming year has been particularly affected by reduced sixth form funding, increased teachers' pension contributions and increased national insurance contributions.

"As a result of this we are sadly having to make some staffing reductions but are doing all that we can to avoid compulsory redundancies.

"Our aim is to retain the broad range of subjects offered to our highly able students and safeguard the school for the future."