Norfolk Academy Trust Pauses Redundancy Consultation Following Strike Threat

A Norfolk academy trust has suspended its redundancy consultation in response to a strike action threat from a teachers’ union. Synergy Multi Academy Trust had proposed eliminating 30 positions across two of its schools, citing a £2.9 million budget deficit. On Wednesday, over 100 parents and students protested outside Reepham High School and College. The trust announced on Thursday that it was pausing its consultation. A letter sent to parents indicated the trust would “revise our approach to looking at other operational savings across all our schools.” The National Education Union (NEU) informed the BBC that an indicative ballot had shown support for strike action. Previously, Synergy Multi Academy Trust had stated its identification of 16 teaching positions, one leadership role, and eight support staff roles for closure at Reepham. Additionally, the trust had planned to eliminate four support staff positions and one leadership post at Litcham School, located near King’s Lynn. The trust attributed these issues to historical government underfunding and a decreasing birth rate within Norfolk. Projections indicate approximately 150 fewer students across all year groups at Reepham High School in the 2026-27 academic year, compared to 2020-21. Overall, the trust operates 15 schools. Scott Lyons, who serves as the district and branch secretary of the NEU, stated that he advised the trust not to underestimate the “strength of feeling in the community.” Louise Lee, the trust’s chief executive, commented: “Our aim has, and will always be, to provide excellent teaching and learning across our schools. “As such, it was felt that the risk of strike action put this key objective in jeopardy at a crucial time in many students’ learning.”” She further stated that staffing structures would undergo review at the beginning of the new year, and that she was “acutely aware” of the worry and anxiety this situation was causing for staff, pupils, and parents. Lee added: “Whatever solution is decided upon, it will sadly result in restructures, job losses and changes in the way we operate across our schools.” The trust also indicated its intention to arrange meetings with parents in the new year.