THE ACADEMY trust in charge of University Academy Warrington School in Padgate has announced plans to cut teaching posts.

The University of Chester Academy Trust, which runs the Insall Road school and six other academies, has seen a fall in pupils numbers of 22 per cent between 2012 and 2015.

UNISON, the union representing school support staff, is concerned about the impact of the cuts on staff and pupils.

UNISON North West’s Lead for Schools, Keith Bradley, said: “This academy chain is in a vicious circle of decline and it is children’s education that is suffering.

“Cuts to staffing levels mean rising class sizes and falling quality.

“Falling pupil intake numbers then create financial pressure to cut yet more staff.

“Parents in Ellesmere Port, Kidsgrove, Northwich and Warrington are being poorly-served by the academy system which means they must either send their child to their declining local school or travel further afield.

“Every community should have a good local school with a place for every child.

“The government’s ill-conceived plan to force schools to become academies appears more ridiculous by the day as the reality of academies is exposed.”

UNISON has been working with the employers and teaching unions to save jobs but said industrial action is a possibility.

Keith said: “We fear that support staff could be next in the firing line.

Teaching Assistants are already under enormous pressure and under appreciated for the work they do. 

“UNISON is considering a ballot of members for industrial action in response to any further attacks on staff, many of whom are low paid.”