‘GCses are hard – now I am afraid of school future’

A student of GCSE has told about the apprehensions for the future of his school, “Between” immense “financial pressure and to leave the chief executive.

Synergy is planning to cut the school curriculum, which runs 15 schools in Norfolk, to cut teaching and assistant employees, to offset its £ 2.7M deficit.

16 -year -old Martha said: “My school’s face is changing for worse.”

The trust stated that the “difficult and sensitive” decisions were required due to the increasing cost and decrease in funding due to rising costs and declining birth rates.

In December, Synergy told the parents that it was facing “A significant number of financial challenges”,

It said that it would start a comprehensive review to build a three -year phased program aimed at filling its deficit and ensuring financial stability.

For comparison, last year the Trust spent £ 34.3m on education.

Early excesses have planned 30 losses in three schools – Refoam High School, Licham School and Sheringam High School – but, after the resignation of the employees, these numbers are currently in flow.

All three schools abolished the last financial year in losses, stating that “their costs have increased their income”.

Changes are also to be made in the teaching hours, including:

• English, mathematics, history and geography are being given extra time
• Modern foreign languages ​​are losing two durations per fortnight
• Arts
• Losing a period in computer science year 9
• And PE shortage from four to three lessons to 10 and 11

In the latest financial accounts of the trust, the trustee board expressed concern over the lack of “enough and effective structure for governance, risk management and control” for the 2023/24 academic year.

While cuts are being planned, the trust maintains plans to take two additional primary schools, yet, at unknown places.

Last year’s financial accounts also highlighted the changes in salaries of employees between 2022 and 2023:

• The number of employees earning between £ 70,001 to £ 80,000 increased from just one to nine
• Staff went from one to two in £ 80,001 to £ 90,000 bracket
• The number of employees earning between £ 90,001 to £ 100,000 went away from two to zero
• While in 2022 no employee earned above £ 100,000, in 2023, one in £ 100,001 fell into £ 110,000 bracket and the other earned between £ 130,001 and £ 140,000

In December, more than 100 parents and students Stoted against changes Outside the Refam High School to show support for teachers.

With his youngest plan to attend school in September, Karen has two daughters, who are in Pivolell Points in their education.

“It will be a shame now to see somewhere else, but maybe it’s too late,” he said.

His biggest, year 11 student Martha said that the teachers in the school looked upset, saying: “Obviously GCS is really difficult.

“All this is already on us with stress, it is very worried about what could be for the future of the school at the top of it.”

National education union Representative Scott Leone said that the employees were “voting with their feet”, some voluntarily departed on Christmas and others were planning to resign.

He said, “With cuts and cuts in course options for children, some employees will not follow him – moral and professional,” he said.

“They really feel firmly firmly that they are going to fight it.”

Last month, 39 parents signed a letter to resign the trust’s chief executive Lewis Lee.

In a statement, the trust said that it was Ms. Lee and the senior team had “every confidence”, which is necessary, to give it, the salaries of the employees were proportional and reflected the “correct mixture of essential expertise”.

The trust also said that changes were required so that school structures, payment awards, education provisions and rustic care are the best exercises. It will also apply to pupil/teacher, teacher contact and income/staffing ratio.

It states: “The decisions we are taking as a board are difficult and sensitive in the peak.

“They, finally, are about the future education of children in our care. It is sad that taking these decisions is not optional if the trust has to remain in operation and till date against its vision, values ​​and educational successes Continues distributing. “

It has also been stated that its purpose was to be financially stable long -term and will achieve this by maintaining the duty of care and reducing the disruption for the students.