Mark Whitehead 04 September 2018

School support staff warn of 'intolerable workloads'

Cuts in funding are having a 'devastating effect' on school support staff, according to trade union Unison.

It says a survey shows spending cuts, staff restructuring and 'rocketing stress levels' are becoming the norm in UK schools.

In the report, Lessons in Austerity, almost nine in ten of the staff said cutbacks in their schools have had a noticeable effect.

More than 70% said they were carrying out duties that should be performed by someone at a higher level, and 35% that they were doing tasks without sufficient training.

More than four in five said they had experienced stress as a result of their workload in the past five years, while one in five needed to take time off sick as a result.

The union's head of education Jon Richards said: 'School support staff who haven’t already lost their jobs are buckling under intolerable workloads and mounting stress levels.

'They play a vital role in keeping children safe and schools running smoothly, they shouldn’t be seen as surplus to requirements when money is tight.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Transport Manager

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220 to 42,839 per annum
We operate a fleet of about 1200 vehicles across North Yorkshire. Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Assistant Director of Governance, People & Performance (Monitoring Officer)

Arun District Council
c.£95,000
Arun District Council is entering one of the most significant and exciting periods in its recent history Littlehampton, West Sussex
Recuriter: Arun District Council

Public Transport Technical Assistant

North Yorkshire Council
£27,254 - £29,064
Are you someone who is looking to develop skills within an operational service? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Procurement & Contracts Officer - Epping Council

Essex County Council
Up to £21.0100 per hour
Procurement & Contracts Officer - Epping Forest District Council Epping, EssexFull-Time, Temporary - 37 Hours per Week 2-3 Month Contract £21.01 PAYE England, Essex
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Commercial and Operations Manager

Mansfield District Council
£12,098 - £13,756 per annum
This is a part-time opportunity, working alongside a part-time fellow manager of the same title. Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Mansfield District Council
Linkedin Banner