Shropshire private school confirms redundancies as part of review and restructure

A Shropshire private school has confirmed redundancies as it carries out a restructure.

Wrekin College, at Wellington in Telford, said the move is part of the final stages of its restructure as it prepares to welcome a new headteacher in September.

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A statement explained the job losses come as part of the review which has examined “how to reduce costs while maintaining the high standards of education”.

The school has not confirmed how many roles are affected.

A statement from the school said: “The College has carried out a strategic review, first announced last year, to ensure resources are concentrated in areas of strength for the school and where demand is greatest from its pupils and families.

“A consultation on redundancies has now entered its final stages, with a number of those being discussed already negotiated on a voluntary basis.”

In September Steve Green, currently Head of the Senior School at Queen’s College in Taunton, will join Wrekin College.

Acting headteachers Ben Smith and Simon Platford said the school had made the decision to review strategically how to reduce costs while maintaining the high standards of education provided and securing stability across the school.

The news comes amid an increasingly challenging period for the independent education sector, which has seen a reduction in pupils across the UK - estimated to be down 25,000 since the change of government.

A number of independent schools have closed, citing the extra pressure of VAT on fees, increased National Insurance contributions and the withdrawal of business rates relief.

Tackling challenges head on

Responding to the difficulties Wrekin College’s senior management said they are tackling the challenges head-on.

“This restructure has been carried out in consultation with staff and has provided an opportunity to focus resources where Wrekin College’s strengths lie and on what makes our school such a successful community as we enter our next chapter,” added Mr Smith.

“We have been able to restructure our curriculum to provide each pupil with extra teaching time but also to offer the subjects that are most in demand in areas where we can best utilise specialist teaching staff and facilities. Our new curriculum continues to provide all the essential stepping stones to any career, apprenticeship or university pathway together with designated staff who support our pupils as they make those decisions.

“It is widely recognised that independent schools across the country are having to face difficult decisions as they work through the trifecta of VAT imposed on fees, increased National Insurance contributions and the withdrawal of business rates relief.

“Our governing body has been working tirelessly to continue our commitment to providing the best possible education for all our pupils whilst also maintaining our financial stability going forwards. The right decisions have to be made with care and we have greatly valued the support we have had from our community throughout this process.”

The school’s leadership said that Wrekin’s highly regarded extra-curricular programme had not been impacted and that pupils greatly valued the vast range of opportunities they have to gain qualifications, hone skills and experiences crucial to their chosen future pathways in a world where careers are changing rapidly.

The school said it has also strengthened its links with the county’s business scene this year in a new networking breakfast club hosted by sixth form students, which regularly welcomes more than 40 industry leaders.