A TEACHING union is reporting a surge in the number of complaints from staff at a high school in Padgate, the Warrington Guardian has learned.

Low morale, hefty workloads and the strain caused by scrutiny following the implementation of a new school policy at University Academy Warrington (UAW) are just some of the reasons behind the rise in reports to the country's largest teaching union.

NASUWT assistant negotiating secretary Kate Morgan described the increase in people from the school on Insall Road seeking union support as 'concerning'.

She said: "Over recent months I have had increased incidents of casework in relation to workloads and staff wellbeing. 

"It is concerning to NASUWT that a large proportion of our members are having to resort to union support as this points to the likelihood that support is lacking internally."

One member of staff at the school, who asked to remain anonymous, has revealed that there are currently 10 people off on sick leave with the majority from the English department.

He said: "The staff are excellent at what they do on the ground in terms of teaching but the fundamental flaws are in the leadership of the school.

"The concerns are that workloads are unsustainable. Currently staff are keeping on top of their workloads but this cannot carry on like this. The work-to-life balance for staff is horrendous."

He also added that pupil behaviour had led to an 'all-time low for staff morale'.

The academy is managed by the University of Chester Academies Trust (UCAT), who were warned earlier this year that improvements were needed amid concerns about three of its schools.

The University of Chester Church of England Academy, the University of Chester Academy Northwich and the University Academy Liverpool were flagged up by schools minister Lord Nash for its 'unacceptably low' standards. 

A spokesman for UCAT said the academy is working closely with unions to discuss concerns raised by staff and it was strongly committed to supporting its staff throughout this programme.

He added: “A structured UCAT school improvement programme has been introduced at UAW this term. 
"This programme has also been introduced at other UCAT secondary academies in order to secure rapid improvement. 

"As this programme is rolled out and implemented, UCAT has been working closely with unions, including the NASUWT, and meeting them regularly to discuss any concerns that they may have."