CREDIT: This story was first seen in the Liverpool Echo
Almost 30 teaching and support jobs will be axed at Gateacre School as part of a cost-cutting drive, the Liverpool Echo reports.
The shakeup will also see many students face cutbacks in lesson time for a number of subjects.
Another 40 staff at the secondary school, whose jobs are not at risk, also face changes to terms and conditions or redefinition of their roles.
School bosses say they have little choice because of a spiralling budget deficit, partly due to falling student numbers.
A staffing review document seen by the ECHO claimed there was an “apparent excess of teaching hours” in certain subjects.
The teaching roles identified as at risk include drama, science, computing, languages, RS, physical education, DT, history and geography.
The support staff jobs at risk include nine catering assistants, three learning support assistants, the school business manager and admin, first aid and exam officers.
Consultation began with affected staff last week, with the final decisions to be made in March.
The document says the school will consider voluntary severance, early retirement, job-sharing and other measures before going ahead with compulsory redundancies.
It also explains that student numbers have fallen from around 1280 in 2014 to 985 this year, and suggests the school’s deficit could reach £4.9m by 2019 without action being taken.
No students will have fewer teaching hours overall, but all year groups face cutbacks in some lessons.
Year 7 and 8 students will have shorter or fewer lessons in humanities, Spanish, DT, art, drama and music but more teaching time for Year 7 science and maths and Year 8 science and English.
Year 9 students will lose more than an hour of Spanish and DT a week and cuts to humanities and drama, but get more time for English, science, maths, art and music.
Year 10 and 11 will lose teaching time in RS, computing and science, with more Year 10 maths and English and more Year 11 maths and humanities, Spanish or options subjects.
The school was ordered to improve by Ofsted last July over poor GCSE results and inadequate safeguarding, but a report in November said things had begun to change after a new head was appointed.
Inspectors said headteacher Jason Roberts had already had an “immensely beneficial impact”, with safeguarding improved and even pupils praising teachers for becoming stricter.
A school spokesman said: “The school is facing significant financial challenges, and a consultation process is underway looking at all roles, where changes can be made and where we can add resources to support disadvantaged students and focus on welfare and achievement for all.
“We value a broad, balanced curriculum, and along with core subjects continue to offer music, art and drama lessons.
“No decisions have been made at this stage, and throughout this period we will, as always, continue to provide high levels of education.”
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