THE Academy Group that runs Tenbury High School has announced major jobs cuts.

However, it is not known if the school in Tenbury will be affected.

The trust, which operates 38 schools across England, including Tenbury High, has announced plans to axe or relocate vital support staff roles across its network,” according to the trade union UNISON.

On site caretaking and maintenance teams would be replaced by with a slimmed-down force across multiple sites, say the union.

Ormiston Academy is also proposing to cut a number of information and communication technology jobs, with affected staff due to learn their fate just before Christmas.

More than 130 posts in schools across England will be affected, according to the union.

UNISON is concerned not enough thought has been given to the health, safety and welfare impact of cutting caretaking and maintenance roles.

But The Trust deny that there is any potential safety risk and say union claims are ‘irresponsible.’

The union is urging the trust to pause its plans until a full assessment and proper consultation can take place.

They say Ormiston has set aside barely a month to decide the future of staff, which simply isn’t long enough says UNISON.

They claim that the threatened workers are responsible for conducting fire safety checks and ensuring fire alarms and escape routes are up to scratch. These workers also carry out regular building checks to make sure they’re safe and free of hazardous materials, such as asbestos. Staff are also on site to deal with maintenance emergencies.

A Trust statement said “Our Transforming Our Trust programme will enable us to do even more and make an even bigger positive difference to pupils.

“The process to date has of course included provision for the most robust health and safety standards going forward.”