Jo.V

Academisation was sold as a way to free schools up. For support staff, it's done the opposite. 50:1. For every academy trust worker who says their workload has gone down, fifty say it's gone up. If you're a TA, cleaner, caretaker, lunchtime supervisor or admin in an academy school, you don't have to carry this alone. Join GMB. Stand with school support staff. #MembersFirst

SEND reform must recognise the key role of school support staff. Responding to the Government’s announcement on SEND funding, Lisa Bangs, GMB Senior Organiser, said: “Additional funding for SEND provision is very welcome, but the Government’s plans must recognise those staff at the forefront of meeting the needs of SEND pupils: school support staff. We know there are increasing numbers of SEND pupils in London and yet there is a lack of training and recognition for the staff working with those pupils. Recruiting and retaining skilled and dedicated support staff requires ensuring they are valued, trained, and paid properly. The failure to do this means some areas are struggling to retain experienced staff. We have consistently called for job descriptions to be updated to reflect the responsibility support staff have for SEND provision and for recognition of their valuable work through the payment of SEND allowances.” #SENDReform #GMBLondon #SupportStaff #MembersFirst