40 teaching jobs to go in Walsall

At least 40 teaching jobs in a Black Country borough are to be axed next year due to budget pressures and falling pupil numbers, it emerged today.

Five secondary schools and five primaries in Walsall had indicated they are poised to make redundancies.

Among the schools that have opened consultation with staff is the Blue Coat Performing Arts College, based in Birmingham Street, where five posts will go due to a combination of financial issues, staff restructuring and falling pupil rolls.

Blue Coat's deputy head Stuart Jones said: "Our staff have been told of the situation. No school takes these steps willingly.

"Falling rolls is also a key issue for us as it is across Walsall schools. While there is falling rolls there will be a need for reduced staff."

Other secondaries hit by job losses are St Francis of Assisi Catholic Technology College in Aldridge where two part-time posts will be axed and Sneyd Community School in Bloxwich where 15 teachers will lose their jobs when it converts to the University Technology College for 14 to 19-year-olds at the end of this academic year.

Grace Academy, in Herberts Park Road, Darlaston, is to shed 19 posts.

The Express & Star has also learned a fifth secondary school is yet to tell teachers that five jobs are at risk.

Whetstone Field Primary School, in Beaufort Way, Aldridge, has confirmed one part-time teacher will take voluntary redundancy at the end of April. At Millfield Primary School, Catshill Road, Brownhills, one post is to go.

A further three junior schools, so far unnamed, have also told union chiefs they will need to make cuts.

Secretary of Walsall's National Union of Teachers Russ Bragger said: "The NUT is very concerned that teachers are being made redundant because of budget reductions."