Labour MP supports striking teachers opposed to joining multi-academy at Liverpool primary school

Paula Barker, Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree wrote to the Archdiocese of Liverpool backing the strikes by staff from St Anthony of Padua school in Mossley Hill

Earlier this month, teachers decided to strike for six days in protest after the archdiocese announced the school would join St Joseph’s multi-academy trust, as part of a broader plan to bring 230 Catholic schools into super-trusts.

Ms Barker wrote: “Whilst the Archdiocese clearly has an agenda to expand its multi academy trusts across the region, where stakeholders are opposed to the transfer of a school their views should be considered by the governing body.”

She added: “It is my understanding that there is strong parental resistance to the proposed transfer, with many of them contacting me to express their views.”

Barker added that a consultation must be “ meaningful by law” and “must therefore be entered into at the stage at which change is contemplated and certainly not at the point when management has decided to move forward and implement it”.

Ms Barker added: “From what has been reported to me by staff and parents at the school, this appears to be the case since a counterproposal to remain as a VA school within the local authority is not under consideration.”

She continued: “It may be the will of the bishop to expand the multi academy trusts, but the will of the school community should not be sidelined and the current employer should act in line with its statutory obligations.”

The chair of governors at the school, Nikki Spragg, said the school had “already extended our consultation period and had what we felt was a really positive meeting with our staff and their union representatives. In addition, we also welcomed our parents to a quite lengthy meeting.”

“It is fair to say that at this meeting there were lots of different views shared, and we were heartened that a significant portion of those in attendance could see the benefits of our school moving in the direction that it is. We also hope that it was an opportunity to address some concerns and misunderstandings that there are.”

“One of the key points that we raised is that academisation is not just about us protecting what is already good about our school. It is also about helping us to prepare for a future where schools are being asked to do more when funding is tight and there is a declining birth rate.

“We will continue to try and work positively and productively with the teaching union as we move forward. We are listening and, where possible, we will look to find resolutions.”

Meanwhile in the Diocese of Wrexham, six thousand people urged Flintshire Council to abandon plans to replace four Catholic schools with a £55 million super school.

Ninety-six per cent of respondents to two statutory consultations opposed the creation of the school for 3-18 year olds on the site of St Richard’s Catholic High School and St Mary’s School in Flint.

This will entail the closure of four existing Catholic schools including St David’s Catholic Primary School in Mold and St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School in Saltney.

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