Commentary
When faced with a reduced budget, the governing body must look at areas in which they can save finances, hopefully without having to start the statutory redundancy process. This is going to be a difficult time for everyone involved so has to be handled sensitively. The headteacher will need to keep staff up to date on what is happening throughout the process.
Any proposal made by the governing body to reduce staff hours must be consulted on with the staff in question and their trade union representatives. Once the decision has been made by the relevant governing body committee, staff have the right to appeal against the decision. This process is stipulated in the school’s redundancy procedure.
ACAS produce guidance on redundancy procedures and fair procedures (https://www.acas.org.uk/redundancy) but the governing body must follow the steps within their own policy at the school.
Please seek advice from the Local Authority or Diocesan Authority as appropriate, right from the beginning or contact Governors Cymru Services on support@governors.cymru
School Governor Reflections Resource 