REDUNDANCIES are expected at a Coventry school.
Cardinal Wiseman Academy school, Potters Green Road, Potters Green, Coventry is blaming “falling national budgets” for the restructure.
Teachers at the school have been alerted that lay-offs are expected as the school attempts to reduce a large deficit.
A spokesperson said: “Some staff members have been informed that their jobs are at risk, however nothing will be finalised until the consultation period has ended.”
Cardinal Wiseman School is part of the Romero Catholic Academy group.
Angry parents and those associated with the school tweeted their concerns: “Unbelievable that Cardinal Wiseman academy in @Coventry2021 has stopped teaching all performing arts and in the process making teachers and staff redundant.
“What kind of education will the City of Culture kids have?”
But a representative of the school said: “Performing Arts will not be removed from the curriculum.”
The same angry tweeter added: “Further to my post yesterday regarding Cardinal Wiseman, they will no longer run special educational needs – SEN.
“Children this affects will now be filtered back into normal classrooms.”
But once again the school dispelled the rumours saying: “Cardinal Wiseman does and always will meet its legal obligation for SEN, as every school in the country does.”
Tom Leverage, Head at Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School, explained the situation: “We are currently planning a restructure within the school to better meet the needs of our pupils and are consulting with staff members and trade unions.
“With falling national budgets and Coventry being a significantly affected area, many schools implemented restructuring programmes in the previous academic year, however Cardinal Wiseman was unable to do this due to a transition in leadership personnel.
“Since the start of this academic year, the leadership team has been working in partnership with the MAC Board of Directors, the local governance and external agencies to conduct a careful assessment of the school.
“The purpose of this work was to identify changes which will provide our children with a more balanced curriculum and give them a firm foundation for their future pathways.”
Others reacted on Twitter: “Shocking news from Cardinal Wiseman in Coventry – hearing substantial number of jobs not just ‘at risk’ but actually ending at end of financial year. Children’s life chances being diminished.”
