Staff jobs could be at risk after Featherstone school faces cash crisis

St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School and Sixth Form College, in Featherstone, said its financial position as “very serious” in a letter to staff last month. It comes after the school predicted its projected deficit in two years time could be more than £950,000. The academy has now launched a two phase consultation to review its staff structure to make savings.

In the letter, the school said to meet the required savings it could axe up to 23 members of staff. One member of staff, who asked not to be named, said: “Some children are taking their GCSEs this year.

“It is a very important time for them. It is important parents and staff know what is going on at the school.” The first phase of the consultation will see the school identify potential savings and develop a new staff structure.

The second phase will see the school identify the number of staff that will be made redundant.

The letter revealed that the school’s projected deficit could rise to £952,420 by 2017/18.

It said: “These figures alone make it clear that urgent action needs to be taken to ensure a positive budget.”

The school said a review of its staff structure had not been carried out for a number of years and it had instead employed more teachers as it became an academy.

St Wilfrid’s acting head teacher Helen Gilroy said: “It is our priority to ensure that St Wilfrid’s can offer the best possible education to its students, now and in the future.”