AN EDUCATION trust responsible for a number of schools in south Essex is facing a vote of no confidence from staff, after serious concerns were raised over safeguarding.

Unions representing staff at Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) - the largest academy chain in the UK - launched a ballot on Wednesday asking if employees have confidence in the trust's leadership.

The move comes after AET failed to listen to staff concerns over proposed cutbacks and restructuring.

The changes will put the wellbeing of children and workers at serious risk, say the unions.

The trust runs Greensward Academy, Plumberow Primary Academy, Westerings Primary Academy, and Hockley Primary School, all in Hockley.

It also runs Ashingdon Primary Academy in Rochford and the Pioneer School in Basildon.

All of the schools are rated either good or outstanding by Ofsted, apart from the Ashingdon Primary, which was deemed requires improvement in 2017, although no major concerns about safeguarding were raised.

Unions say AET is attempting to sabotage the talks after the trust broke an agreement to pause changes while a resolution was sought.

Results of the vote of no confidence are expected to be released at the end of May.

The trust admitted it was "previously failing" but insisted improvements are being made and stated conversations had been had with union representatives.

The government has also been challenged by MPs at the Education Select Committee to publish details of the financial turnaround plan agreed between the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the trust.

Joint general secretary of the National Education Union Dr Mary Bousted said: “We want AET to engage in meaningful talks at ACAS and respect the ‘status quo’ provision in our recognition agreement. Instead it confirmed the outsourcing of its ICT staff on Easter Sunday for the next working day.

“Teachers’ pay progression is one of the lowest in the sector and staff workload is a severe problem. Meanwhile AET chief executive Julian Drinkall is one of the highest paid MAT chief execs.

“Things can’t go on as they are. We’re asking members to show what they think of AET through a vote of no confidence in the board and chief executive.”

UNISON head of education Jon Richards said: “AET agreed that restructuring should be paused until ACAS talks were concluded. But AET chose Easter Sunday to break this agreement and announce it would immediately push ahead with outsourcing.

“AET is demonstrating a total lack of respect for staff. Its actions are a fundamental breach of trust. UNISON now has no choice but to move to a vote of no confidence and consider options for further action.”

SEPARATE ANCHOR IF POSSIBLE FOR AET STATEMENT BELOW

A spokesperson for AET said: “We are saddened that the unions have taken this stance as we have at all points made every effort to engage with them in constructive dialogue. We believe that progress was being made and have every hope that this will continue.

“We met with union representatives immediately before the Easter weekend and offered to meet again immediately after. The first date they are available is 13 May. We look forward to those discussions and hope they will engage in a similarly constructive manner.

“Everything we do is focused on ensuring that our schools are providing the best possible education, and it is simply untrue to say that the changes we are making are putting children or staff at risk.

“AET was previously a failing organisation – there were no financial controls, poor governance and scant education support. In short, this was an organisation in freefall that was badly letting down pupils and staff. The changes we have made have put AET onto a solid and sustainable footing. Financially, the trust broke even for the first time in five years last year, and results are improving year on year. We believe that every one of our schools should be providing an education that helps pupils go on to lead remarkable lives, and we will do everything in our power to make that vision a reality across our family.”