The National Education Union has declared a significant victory following intense negotiations with a major Midlands academy trust, resulting in the preservation of teaching positions and increased financial support for schools. This breakthrough comes after weeks of disruptive strike action that saw thousands of pupils miss valuable classroom time across the region.
Strike Action Leads to Crucial Agreement
Industrial action across the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership's twenty-four West Midlands schools has concluded following a landmark deal between union representatives and trust management. The agreement, reached after three weeks of walkouts involving hundreds of National Education Union members, has brought an immediate halt to planned strikes that would have extended through February.
The dispute originated from the trust's financial difficulties, which reportedly left the organisation millions of pounds in debt. Initial proposals suggested cutting approximately one hundred positions across the partnership's schools in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, Coleshill, Lichfield, Tamworth, Coventry, and Warwickshire. This prompted the National Education Union to organise widespread industrial action, with twenty schools experiencing either partial or complete closures during the strike period.
Financial Transparency Demanded Amid Ongoing Concerns
While celebrating the agreement, union representatives have expressed serious concerns about financial transparency within the trust. According to the latest accounts, the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership faces a substantial deficit approaching ten million pounds, with additional repayable loans from the Department for Education estimated at four and a half million pounds.
Chris Denson, Joint Secretary of Coventry National Education Union and national executive member, emphasised the need for greater openness, stating: "The culture of secrecy around finances and how decisions were made cannot continue. We believe that both staff and parents should be represented in governance structures across the Trust and will be pressing for this to happen."
Key Provisions of the Agreement
The negotiated settlement includes several crucial commitments that address union concerns:
- Elimination of compulsory redundancies for all school-based staff across the partnership
- Protection of specialised funding for children with special educational needs, including Education, Health and Care Plan allocations and Pupil Premium resources
- Reduction in central trust spending with increased funding directed toward individual schools
- Establishment of ongoing dialogue between union representatives and trust management to monitor implementation
Mr Denson highlighted the broader implications of the agreement, noting: "These changes will not only protect teachers and support staff for your children but will also ensure that more money stays in your school for your child's education, and protects the money ringfenced for SEND support."
Leadership Changes and Future Challenges
The agreement coincides with significant leadership transitions within the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership. Chief Executive Officer Richard Gill has taken a leave of absence, with Lee Miller assuming interim responsibilities as both CEO and Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, the chair of trustees and another trust member departed their positions at the end of December.
Despite the positive developments, numerous questions remain unanswered regarding the trust's financial situation. Key concerns include the precise extent of the debt, repayment schedules for government loans, and explanations for increased central service costs and higher-paid staff numbers despite financial difficulties.
The National Education Union has issued an open letter to parents expressing gratitude for their support during the industrial action, acknowledging the disruption caused while emphasising the importance of the achieved outcomes. The letter states: "We know that strike action is never easy for parents and guardians, and we know that it will have caused disruption, but have no doubt that the stance that you took throughout this campaign has made a huge difference not just to the education of your children, but also to those for years to come."
Both parties have committed to weekly meetings to address financial challenges collaboratively, with a joint statement emphasising their shared commitment to transparent, open approaches that include staff and parent input in decision-making processes.
