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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

school budget cuts...just been fired! Help

151 replies

miniplaty · 31/05/2017 10:25

Posting here for traffic....I've just been told that from September I will no longer have a job. I work part time in a primary school on a fixed term contract until August, this is the second year I have been on a fixed term contract. I've been doing PPA (lesson cover whilst class teachers do planning) and my job is going to be done by a classroom assistant. Can they do this? Is it legal to employ a teacher for 2 years on fixed term contracts and then get rid of them to be replaced by an HLTA? The post will be the same, it's not as if the post will be removed, but it will be done by someone cheaper. Thanks :(

OP posts:
Iris65 · 31/05/2017 11:08

That is horrible. I am so sorry.
My school got rid of my job and two others by increasing class sizes, decreasing subjects offered at A level and changing the structure of the school day.

spanieleyes · 31/05/2017 11:08

Why do fixed term contracts for teachers work in a different way to other fixed term contracts? As far as I know, the contract is just that, fixed for a set period. After that, the contract isn't renewed and the school can cover the work in any way they want.

harderandharder2breathe · 31/05/2017 11:08

It's shit and I'm sorry but nothing they've done is illegal

You were hired for a fixed term. That is ending and they are not rehiring you.

I would put your energy into finding a new job rather than trying to fight this. But from reading the Education boards here I think PPA cover roles will become rarer as more schools do what your current one plans to do.

thedancingbear · 31/05/2017 11:11

OP - don't listen to internet experts with no knowledge of employment law. Seek union advice or get a freebie with a lawyer with appropriate experience. I'm a lawyer in another field but from what I do know of employment you could've been unlawfully made redundant.

spanieleyes · 31/05/2017 11:11

Pop over to TES and find GLsghost-she is the employment law expert for teachers!

shadesofwinter · 31/05/2017 11:15

I think having a dedicated teacher to cover PPA time was probably a luxury that sadly the school can no longer afford with budget cuts. In our school PPA time is covered by both existing teachers and TAs.

It sucks for you though, I hope you find some thing else soon.

CountryCaterpillar · 31/05/2017 11:15

Our school have been using hlta to cover ppa and cover supervisors. . When I started teaching there had to be a qualified teacher in charge of the class. Progress is great...

Original poster
miniplaty · 31/05/2017 11:16

It's really shit, makes me want to leave teaching. More and more schools are getting class room assistants to take classes as it's cheaper. Luckily the school my dcs go to don't do that, I would complain if they did and that's what we should all be doing. Can't believe they get away with it
I was told this time last year that they would make me permanent, if they had at least told me that it might not happen, I would have been looking for something else. At this time of the year it's quite hard to find a job, most teaching jobs come out around Easter. Thanks for all your advice, I'll look into it further

OP posts:
Spikeyball · 31/05/2017 11:16

You have worked the 2 years then and the rules about redundancy apply. I would seek advice from your union. I suspect the school will reword the contract to make it a different role so I wouldn't get your hopes up too much.

BorisTrumpsHair · 31/05/2017 11:17

Teachers at our primary school have been striking and PPA time (or erosion of it) is one of the reasons this action is happening - along with some alleged "redundancies".

This is going to be affecting all schools over the next few years as budgets are cut and cut - please check out this parents action group to access resources, information and to organise ways to fight it:

www.fairfundingforallschools.org/

Original poster
miniplaty · 31/05/2017 11:19

Hi..thanks for your help..not sure where TES is ? On the education page on mumsnet? thanks

OP posts:
NeverTwerkNaked · 31/05/2017 11:21

Just wanted to express my sympathies. The schools are having to make impossible choices to cut budgets at the moment so it is not a reflection of how valued you are.

Orlantina · 31/05/2017 11:21

www.tes.co.uk

It's reasonably helpful.

spanieleyes · 31/05/2017 11:21

community.tes.com/forums/workplace-dilemmas.96/

You will need to register before posting but can view without!

Be warned, it makes for grim reading!

ItsNotRocketScienceThough · 31/05/2017 11:22

It's not very nice and I would have thought they could have given you more warning but given the cuts to school budgets, they may not have had much choice.

It's rubbish but then austerity is if you work in education.

SuburbanRhonda · 31/05/2017 11:22

Just came on to say I'm sorry this has happened to you, OP.

And I wonder how many people saying it's perfectly legal for a teacher's job to be done by an HLTA would be so relaxed if that HLTA were teaching their own child?

CountryCaterpillar · 31/05/2017 11:24

It's completely normal in the schools around here suburban. "Monday pm is Mrs x" who is the hlta... Cover supervisors have been used for cover for ages but regular htla to cover ppa is the norm I think now.
I dont like it one bit.

Orlantina · 31/05/2017 11:25

I've just lost 2 part time 'contracts' with schools - I work for myself and contract myself to schools through my company.

Nothing wrong with my work. Just too expensive for schools despite teaching a shortage subject.

Still - more money for education, eh?

ALittleMop · 31/05/2017 11:25

It won't be the same post. They will not be "teaching" if they are not a teacher, the job description will be different.

It's rubbish, for you and the children, and I am sure the school don't want to do it but with cuts as they are they won't have a choice.

Original poster
miniplaty · 31/05/2017 11:25

So true Rhonda, LSAs?TAs do amazing work at school but they should not be taking a class. Would you let a dental hygienist do a root canal filling?

OP posts:
CountryCaterpillar · 31/05/2017 11:27

Apparently it's ojay has the teacher sets the work/plans and the hlta takes the class. It's honestly been thus for ages.

SuburbanRhonda · 31/05/2017 11:28

They do it in the school I work in too, country.

One of our classes is taught one day every week by an HLTA. I wouldn't like it if it were my DC, even though she is fab at her HLTA job.

user1496225799 · 31/05/2017 11:28

I've just found out that my daughter's school budget will be cut by almost £1 million. That works out a £663 per child. They've announced there will be 'alterations' to their curriculum. It's breaking my heart that this is happening to our children. All so that Mrs May can have her vanity project. The link below will show what your child's school budget will be cut by.

www.schoolcuts.org.uk/#!/

LondonNicki · 31/05/2017 11:29

Employment rights kick in after 2 years and that may be part of the reasoning that they are not extending your contract as then they would need to pay redundancy etc and if it's a funding matter then it's not an exposure they are prepared to have. Sorry about that (it used to be 12 months but was changed in the last few years)

CountryCaterpillar · 31/05/2017 11:30

I honestly can't see how any school will justify having a qualified teacher for ppa cover with all the budget cuts.

I absolute hate what is happening to education.