Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School is cutting jobs to save money, despite a controversial Ofsted report they strongly dispute
Ramsgate: Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School is making some tough decisions. They’re planning to cut teaching jobs to save around £560,000 from their budget. This comes just months after a pretty harsh Ofsted report that they don’t agree with.
The school is starting a consultation about restructuring staff. They say the financial issues aren’t just about the Ofsted rating, but more about funding not keeping up with rising costs. It’s a tough spot for many schools right now.
John Waker, the chair of trustees, mentioned that the school’s financial pressures have been building for a while. They’re facing a drop in student numbers, which means less funding. Last year, they had 200 first-choice applications, but this year it’s down to 107.
Waker emphasized that the Ofsted report isn’t the sole reason for these cuts. He pointed out that the school has been feeling the pinch from a declining birth rate and rising staff pay that isn’t fully funded. It’s a tricky situation, especially for schools with experienced teachers at the top of their pay scales.
While they’re preparing for a smaller Year 7 intake in the future, Waker insists they need to act now to protect the school’s future. The restructuring talks are just starting, and it’s a tough conversation to have since they have a great team of staff.
Chatham and Clarendon was previously rated ‘good’ by Ofsted, but the recent inspection criticized their single-sex classes, calling it “unlawful discrimination.” The head teacher, Debra Liddicoat, has pushed back against the report, saying it doesn’t reflect the school’s reality.
Despite the challenges, Liddicoat remains optimistic. She highlighted that the school achieved its best-ever GCSE results last summer. The feedback from students and parents has been positive, and they’re seeing students thrive.
As they move forward, the school is working on a Statement of Action to address the inspection’s findings. Liddicoat is determined to enhance their practices and improve where needed, even if they disagree with the Ofsted report.
