Aspirations Academy Trust’s outsourcing blow to cleaning and catering staff is ‘appalling timing’, says UNISON

The trust has ignored pleas from UNISON and staff face an uncertain future.

Cleaners and catering staff at two schools in Dorset are facing an uncertain future as Aspirations Academy Trust push through plans to outsource their employment to private contractors.

The plans were unveiled earlier this month, at a time when these staff were already working flat out to prepare for a big bang reopening of schools to all pupils.

Aspirations Academy Trust is a national academy trust with several schools Dorset, the two schools affected are Atlantic Academy on Portland and Budmouth Academy in Weymouth.

UNISON South West regional organiser Janine Miller said:   

“This is appalling timing for the support staff impacted. They have worked tirelessly to maintain a clean and safe environment for both staff and children in the schools as well as ensuring vulnerable children were fed throughout the pandemic.”

“UNISON has asked Aspirations Academy Trust several times to pause their proposals and engage positively with us. They have refused and ploughed on regardless. We believe that it is  irresponsible of the trust to bring private contractors into schools to meet with staff at this time increasing risks of covid exposure to pupils and staff.”

“They have shown a distinct lack of care for this group of staff, who now face an uncertain future.”​