The National Education Union (NEU) has condemned the Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust (HFCMAT) for pushing ahead with plans to make teaching staff redundant at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Birkenhead, despite already unacceptable working and learning conditions.
NEU members at the school have now voted to begin the process for an indicative ballot in September 2025, in preparation for formal consultation on the proposed redundancies. The union is urging the Trust to halt the process and engage in meaningful dialogue to find a more sustainable and equitable solution.
Despite claims of falling pupil numbers, some class at St Joseph’s currently exceeds 30 pupils. For example, three vertically grouped Year 5/6 classes at St Joseph’s currently have 34, 34, and 35 pupils, respectively. Staff describe the school as operating under “skeleton” conditions, with:
- Severely disrupted PPA (planning, preparation, and assessment) time,
- Inadequate provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND),
- Teachers regularly covering administrative duties and even classroom decoration,
- A lack of consistent cover for staff absences, often filled by teaching assistants or unfamiliar supply staff.
“Our members are already working under extreme pressure,” said Bora Oktas, NEU regional officer. “They are delivering education in overcrowded classrooms, often without adequate support for children with SEND, and with disrupted planning and preparation time. To now propose redundancies is not only unjustifiable—it is indefensible.”
The NEU has also raised serious concerns about the Trust’s financial priorities. According to publicly available data and internal documents, the top eight executives at HFCMAT collectively earn over £1 million annually. This includes a CEO salary of approximately £180,000—higher than that of the Prime Minister—and a series of high-salaried director roles, many of which have no visible presence in schools, with the number of managers increased from 32 to 44 between 2023 and 2024. This top-heavy structure is a growing concern among staff, who feel that frontline roles are being sacrificed to fund centralised managerial posts.
“It is unacceptable that while teachers are being asked to do more with less, the Trust continues to fund a bloated leadership structure,” said Oktas. “High level managerial roles have been created centrally, while frontline staff are being cut. This is a clear case of misplaced priorities.”
Ferdushi Mohshin, assistant branch secretary of Wirral NEU, added: “As a teacher, a parent, and a union representative, I am heartbroken and outraged by the wave of primary school redundancies sweeping through our borough. These are not just budget decisions; they are the loss of trusted staff who form the backbone of our school communities. Every redundancy means less support for our children, especially those with the greatest needs. We are deeply concerned about the impact these cuts will have on children’s education. Rather than merging classes due to a supposed drop in pupil numbers, the Trust should be using this opportunity to reduce class sizes and improve learning outcomes. Slashing staff in the name of savings is short-sighted and damaging.”
“I stand in full solidarity”, added Ms Mohshin, “with the staff, pupils and families of St Joseph’s Primary School.”
The union also highlighted that the Trust has undergone two costly leadership restructures in just four years, with the most recent one again increasing central costs. Meanwhile, teachers are being asked to take on administrative tasks such as planning school trips, managing SEND paperwork, and even decorating classrooms—duties that fall outside their professional remit.
Michael Farrelly, NEU Wirral branch secretary and parent said: “Another key issue raised by NEU members is the erosion of teaching resources. In contrast to education systems in countries such as Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Germany—where teachers are trusted professionals and don’t require a top-heavy management structure — teachers at St Joseph’s are being burdened with non-teaching responsibilities. Our members believe that money is better spent in the classroom, not on more managers.”
“One member asked me the other day,” continued Mr Farrelly, “ ‘why do we need a marketing department?’ – a sentiment echoed by many who question the value of expanding non-teaching roles while classroom staff face cuts. School based staff know what works, which pupils need additional support, and how best to help children thrive. Stripping away resources from this undermines educational effectiveness.”
“The Trust has disputed the union’s figures on class sizes,” continued Mr Farrelly, “while Year 4 classes currently have 24 and 25 pupils, the three vertically grouped Year 5/6 classes have 34, 34, and 35 pupils, respectively. These oversized classes not only exceed NEU and Department for Education guidance but also severely limit the quality of teaching, especially in the absence of adequate teaching assistant and administrative support. The increased workload and stress on staff are having a tangible impact on both wellbeing and educational outcomes.”
“This is not just about jobs—it’s about the future of education in our community,” said Peter Middleman, NEU regional secretary. “The Trust must be held accountable for its financial decisions. We are calling for a full review of executive pay and a redirection of resources to where they are needed most: in the classroom.”
NEU members are particularly concerned that the redundancy process lacks transparency. Staff have not been given clear selection criteria, and there are unresolved questions about the treatment of protected groups, including those returning from maternity leave.
The union has accepted an invitation to a consultation meeting with the Trust’s HR Director on 1 October 2025 but warns that industrial action remains on the table if meaningful progress is not made.
“We are calling on the Trust to pause the redundancy process, review its executive pay structure, and prioritise investment in teaching and learning,” concluded Mr Oktas. “Our children deserve smaller classes and consistent teaching—not a revolving door of supply staff and a leadership team they never see.”
The NEU is urging governors, parents, and the wider community to stand with staff in demanding that education—not executive pay—be the priority at St Joseph’s and across the Trust.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The NEU stands up for the future of education. It brings together the voices of half a million teachers, lecturers, support staff and leaders in maintained and independent schools and colleges across the UK. It is 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 NEU 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 contacts: Bora Oktas, NEU Regional Officer – Email: north.west@neu.org.uk. Phone: 01204 521434. Mike Farrelly, Branch Secretary of Wirral NEU Branch, and Ferdushi Mohshin, Assistant Branch Secretary of Wirral NEU Branch – Email: wirralbranch@neu.org.uk.
- National Contacts: Press Office direct line: 0207 380 4706. Out of hours: 07879 480 061
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