Parents and unions will protest at the school gate

Campaigners are to protest outside a high school over proposals to cut 25 members of staff.

Parents said they would flock to Reepham High School and College (RHSC) on Wednesday after the Synergy Multi-Academy Trust said it planned to restructure both the school in Norfolk and the Leacham school due to “financial challenges”.

Laura Marfell-Williams, one of the protest organisers, said: “The possibility of losing a quarter of the teaching staff cannot be allowed.”

The BBC has contacted Synergy for comment and understands that 16 teachers, one senior leadership staff and eight support staff may be made redundant at Reepham and five posts at Leecham.

Mrs Marfel-Williams, who has two children in Refam, said the protest would take place between 8:00 and 09:00 GMT to “show support for teachers and raise awareness among parents”.

“It is unfair that the Trust is looking to Refam to solve its financial problems.

“It serves a huge catchment area; it’s the heart of the community.

“It’s not just about jeopardizing children’s future education, but losing a job would be a huge blow.”

Mrs. Marfell-Williams has helped set up the parent action group “Stand with RHSC Teachers and Staff” and says it has gained 500 Facebook followers in five days.

A petition set up by another parent has been signed by more than 1,000 people.

Over 1,000 children aged 11 to 18 attend the school, including 749 pupils from Litcham.

Synergy said Staff consultation process will start in January And those affected will not return for the new school year in September.

In a letter to RHSC parents, Synergy said there was “extreme” pressure on its school budget and low government funding – as well as falling numbers due to the birth rate – meant that not every school place was filled.

It said its wider review would focus on making savings “while minimizing the impact on the overall functioning of the school”.

It added, “We will continue to ensure that RHSC provides a high standard of education.”

National Education Union (NEU) district and branch secretary Scott Lyons represents staff who may be directly affected by the changes.

He said he would join Wednesday’s protest on behalf of these members.

Mr Lyons said he had met with the trust and told them “not to underestimate the strength of feeling in the community”.

He said, “The quality of Refam and Licham is second to none – they epitomize best practice and if the proposed changes go ahead, the schools will be unrecognizable.”

Synergy is based at the Reepham site and runs 15 schools in the town along with its own primary school. have to go through immediate repair of its roofs earlier this year.

In its most recent accounts, dated October 2023, it was stated that “the Trust’s cash balance has been very good throughout the year”.

North Norfolk Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Acquarone He said he had arranged a meeting with the trust on Wednesday to address the “serious concerns” raised about the RHSC.

He said, “The reduction of almost 25% of the teaching staff, as well as further cuts in non-teaching roles, has led to widespread concern about the impact on the quality of education and the future sustainability of the school.”