GMB in Hertfordshire has revealed it has written to the Chief Executive of Herefordshire County Council about its major concern over the future of Hertfordshire’s schools and education system if the Tories were to get into power at the General Election later this year. GMB represents over one hundred thousand School Support Staff across the UK many of who work in Hertfordshire’s school. GMB has not received a reply to the letter.

Under the Tory schools proposal, any approved group would be able to run an independent, non-fee-paying school funded by the state. GMB fear that this will lead to jobs and pay & conditions cuts for the county’s school support staff as it would undermine the newly created School Support Staff National Body (SSSNB) that maintains the employment standards for school support staff across the UK education system.

School suppport staff do many vital jobs in the county’s schools. Teaching Assistants, cartakers, cleaners, school secreatires, lunchtime supervisors and many more. They support the teachers by making sure that all related tasked are done so that they can concentrate on the childrens’ lessons.