Evidence of Poor Parent and Staff Consultation

A group of parents have been looking into the level of parental consultation conducted by Lordswood Girls school as part of the transfer to the King Edwards IV Multi Academy Trust.

Many of us missed the consultation was taking place and this may be why...

On October the 8th, the this parent bulletin was sent out to parents. It is a letter about the move to the KEIV MAT. It reads as marketing literature for the MAT and gives no solid explanation about the process and how KGS has come to a point that it needed to consider a move like this. The letter is not presented as a consultation but just mentioned the word towards the end where it offers an opportunity email questions if we wish to and they would be considered. How many parents saw this letter and how many realised it was an official “consultation” about whether or not to proceed with the transfer? The consultation was hidden. It was not clear that that was what the letter represented. In fact the letter is saved on the website as " Joining the King Edward's VI Foundation 8th October".  There was no attempt to hold open sessions to discuss the situation so parents could fully understand what was happening. No attempt to bring parents together. The letter read as a done deal and we were being informed about it (and could ask questions if we wanted to). The call to action was not repeated after that initial bulletin on October 8th. The consultation ran for 1 month but no reminders were sent to parents after this. There are more examples of this lack of communication and consultation.

Now knowing this was apparently a meaningful consultation, we feel cheated out of an opportunity.

Google “meaningful consultation” and you’ll find this:

Meaningful consultation means the meaningful and timely process of seeking, discussing, and considering carefully the views of others, in a manner that is cognizant of all parties' cultural values and, where feasible, seeking agreement.

Now for the worrying bit ….

LGS staff received the exact same letter. The same letter as the parents. Just addressed “Dear colleague”

This transfer of employment affects their jobs. They work for Lordswood Girls’ School now but their employment will transfer to The King Edward IV Academy Trust on September 1st (when LGS will cease to exist). Whilst their jobs will be transferred on their current terms as part of the TUPE process, as soon as they work for their new employer, these terms can be changed.

With that in mind, we would argue that the letter they were sent does not represent meaningful consultation. Let alone show a level of respect and a supportive consultative management style.

There have been no group staff meetings or one-to-one meetings with staff talking through the transfer and giving them an opportunity to discuss it. There have only been meetings about the TUPE situation, which took place this year once the decision to transfer had been made.

This is why the staff are striking (5 days unpaid by the school because they are so concerned). They have not said they are against the transfer. They are against the transfer without meaningful consultation. They accept that it might ultimately be the correct decision, but like parents, they have not had a meaningful consultation allowing them to reach that conclusion.

Lordswood Girls School prides itself on its approach to supporting positive mental health. They have a dedicated service in school to help girls who need it, they share information in the bulletins to parents signposting support services or useful information about how to help or recognise symptoms of poor mental health. The school even organised a training session for parents to learn how to provide the right support to girls.

The school website also promotes this positive attitude in its ethos and values.

But unfortunately the management do not deliver all that they outwardly champion.  Particularly with their own staff. The manner in which consultation has taken place is not in line with this apparent understanding of the importance of good mental health. Where is the respect for the mental health impact that such a big decision might have on staff? It’s not good to claim to value things and then override that with your actions thus rendering your words meaningless.

Check out the page on the school website dedicated to staff mental health.  Lots of information about different agencies who help with poor mental health.  Perhaps the school could operate in a way which prevents unnecessary worry and stress thus following it's own values?

The school has broken up for the summer today. If like us you care about what has been happening please continue to share the petition and tell people why it’s important. We’re all busy parents and time is precious, but let your feelings be known.

You have a right to have a voice as do the staff.

Incidentally, King Edwards VI Academy Trust do not recognise Unions. Unions support workers to have a voice and support them to exercise their rights. The teachers will not have this support recognised after 1st September.

Without their decision to strike, none of these concerns would have been brought to parents’ attention. Imagine what might slip through the net in the future!