Our Branch has considered the proposals on School Organisational Review and are concerned about the impact of the proposals on our staff, their conditions of service and in some cases their homes.  

We do not support the view that the transfer of pupils between schools under the current 3 tier system, leads to a reduced standard of Education.  The Ofsted reports in Middle schools being conducted at the present time indicate that most of the schools are receiving excellent reports. 

We are concerned about the additional costs which are mounting on a daily basis where the bill has increased from between £58 and £70 million to £73 million according to figures in the East Anglian Daily Times on 11^th March 2008.  This increase is only looking at the current proposals for the Haverhill and Lowestoft areas.  Could the final amount for the whole County become likened to the escalating cost of the Olympics?  A question already raised by Councillor Richard Kemp, (Independent, Long Melford). 

In addition there has been no account taken of the costs to parents/carers which include additional transport costs to the new schools. There has been no consideration of the redundancy costs which will inevitably involve additional costs on the tax payers. 

Morale of school staff is at an all time low and fears over job security are generating concerns over their health and wellbeing.  Teaching and non teaching staff are already looking for work in other areas and this may leave Suffolk schools short staffed and therefore lead to a decline in standards of educational provision during the transition period from the new and old structure.   

The Branch will be looking to respond to the formal statutory notice on an individual basis but we will need your support in responding.  Please can you contact John Jennett or David Church via the Branch Office.