Press Release: NEU: Parents Must Be Told Full Impact of Proposed School Changes
National Education Union
PRESS RELEASE
Embargoed until 00.01 18th May 2026:
NEU: Parents Must Be Told Full Impact of Proposed School Changes
James Starnes, Branch and District Secretary for NEU Trafford, has issued a firm response to recent communications sent to parents and carers regarding industrial action and proposed changes at Flixton Girls School.
“The letter issued to families presents a selective and reassuring narrative that does not reflect the serious and ongoing concerns raised by staff,” said Starnes. “It is important that parents are made aware of the full picture.”
The school claims that curriculum changes will not compromise educational quality and will maintain a broad and balanced offer. However, NEU Trafford strongly disputes this. The decision to reduce Modern Foreign Languages provision at Key Stage 3 represents a clear narrowing of the curriculum, limiting opportunities for pupils and reducing choice. Staff concerns have consistently highlighted that these changes are being driven by financial pressures, not by educational need.
While the Trust points to an increase in teacher planning time, NEU members report that this does not offset the wider impact of the restructuring. Increased workload pressures, reduced staffing capacity and the demands of implementing curriculum change mean that overall conditions for teaching and learning are being negatively affected.
Similarly, proposed changes to pastoral structures are presented as an enhancement. In practice, staff believe these changes amount to a cost-driven reorganisation that risks weakening established systems of support rather than strengthening them.
The Trust also emphasises the length of the consultation process. However, NEU Trafford is clear that meaningful consultation is not measured by duration alone. Despite extensive engagement, staff concerns have not been adequately addressed and key decisions have remained unchanged.
Although the school states that support staff redundancies are no longer proposed, teaching roles remain at risk. Reductions in teaching staff will inevitably impact class sizes, subject delivery and the overall educational experience of students.
“Industrial action has not been taken lightly,” Starnes added. “It follows sustained efforts by staff and their union to resolve these issues through dialogue. Our members are taking action because they are deeply concerned about the long-term impact on students’ education.”
NEU Trafford is calling on school and Trust leaders to engage in genuine negotiations, provide greater transparency around financial decision-making, and reconsider proposals that reduce curriculum breadth and staffing.
“Our priority is, and always will be, protecting students’ entitlement to a high-quality, broad education. That is what this dispute is about.”
ENDS
Note to Editors:
· The National Education Union stands up for the future of education. It brings together the voices of half a million teachers, lecturers, support staff and leaders working in maintained and independent schools and colleges across the UK, to form the largest education union in Europe.
· It is an independent, registered trade union and professional association, representing its members in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.
· The National Education Union is affiliated to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), and Education International (EI). It is not affiliated to any political party and seeks to work constructively with all the main political parties.
Local contact details:
James Starnes, Branch & District Secretary of Trafford Branch – Email: james.starnes@neu.org.uk
National:
Press Office direct lines: 020 7782 1589 / 020 7380 4706
Out of hours: 07918 617466 / 07879 480061
Switchboard: 0345 811 8111
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