Search begins for firm to run school services

Education bosses in Staffordshire today began the search for a private firm to run £75 million worth of school services in moves they say will change the face of education in the county.

Around 5,000 staff at 400 schools will transfer to the firm.

The tendering process is expected to take a year. Unions have criticised the move, claiming it paves the way for wider privatisation. Once a contractor is appointed, they will take control of ground and building maintenance, cleaning, music tuition, teacher training, school meals and ICT.

Unison branch secretary Steve Elsey said the plans were "bad news for education, bad for the taxpayer and bad for staff", adding that the services should continue to be delivered by the local authority for reasons of "quality, efficiency and accountability".

Staffordshire County Council started the tendering process today by issuing a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union advertising the opportunity.

Deputy council leader Ian Parry said the shake-up would lead to improvements. "What we intend to do will change the face of education support services for the future, to make a stronger business which will be free to innovate and has the opportunity to develop and grow," he said.

"Issuing this notice is just the first formal stage in this process, which we anticipate will take just under 12 months to complete.

"We're looking for a partner that is right for Staffordshire and shares wholeheartedly our passion for education."

Staffordshire UNISON canvassed the opinion of a number of school heads, of those who have responded an overwhelming majority, 87 per cent backed the Green Book trade unions (UNISON, UNITE and GMB) in calling for cabinet's decision to be deferred until sufficient consultation has taken place with school leaders to establish that a willingness and a wish of those leaders exists to purchase their support services from a private provider rather than continue to procure local authority provision.

"This is not about outsourcing or privatisation, it is about taking decisive action to safeguard jobs and strengthen the services offered to schools," he said.

"Our priority is providing schools and the young people of Staffordshire the best possible education."

The proposals were given the green light in March, despite the union opposition.