UNISON has joined with other education unions in raising concerns about government proposals that could eventually see all state schools required to join academy trusts.
The joint statement, issued by unions representing school support staff and teachers across the education sector, warns that further large scale academisation risks increasing fragmentation across the school system while diverting funding away from frontline education.
At a time when schools are already facing significant financial pressures, staffing challenges and increasing SEND demands, the unions say there are serious concerns about the impact further structural reorganisation could have on pupils, staff and local communities.
The statement highlights concerns around:
- Funding being diverted away from classrooms and support services into structural chang
- Decision-making becoming more remote from parents, staff and communities
- The impact of inconsistent employment practices across academy trusts
- Ongoing workload and recruitment pressures affecting both teachers and support staff
- Leadership time being diverted away from supporting pupils and implementing SEND reforms
The unions also point to the lack of clear evidence that academisation alone improves educational outcomes, while parents consistently prioritise high-quality teaching, support and properly funded schools over changes to structures and governance.
The joint statement was issued by UNISON, NASUWT, NEU, AEP, GMB, Unite and Community.
UNISON believes that school staff deserve properly funded schools, fair employment practices and transparent decision-making. Schools are already able to collaborate effectively through a range of existing partnerships and federations without unnecessary disruption or additional financial cost.
School support staff are already under enormous pressure. Our priority should be ensuring schools are properly funded and supported so they can meet the needs of pupils and staff, rather than creating further disruption and uncertainty through large-scale structural change.
UNISON will keep the pressure up to ensure these damaging plans do not come to pass.