10/03/2026
We want to keep you informed about the proposed staffing changes at Oak Lodge School and what they mean for your child. Over the past few years, our school has changed and grown. We now support deaf children and young people with a wider range of communication and learning needs. To keep providing the best possible education, we have been reviewing how our school is organised and how staff are deployed. Why changes are being proposed
• Our pupils’ needs have changed, and we want to make sure we have the right staff with the right training in each part of the school.
• We need a staffing structure that is flexible and supports our personalised curriculum, which now includes Skills for Life and
additional qualifications.
• We must ensure the school remains financially sustainable for the
long term.
If we do not make changes, the school is forecast to have a significant financial deficit by 2029–30, which would affect our ability to maintain high-quality provision.
What the proposals include
• A small reduction in teaching posts, based on pupil numbers and curriculum needs.
• Adjustments to Teaching Assistant (TA) hours so they match the pupil funding the school receives for classroom support.
• Updating some staff roles to reflect the needs of today’s pupils.
These changes are part of a careful and long consultation process with staff, which began in November 2025. About the NEU strike action. The NEU union has taken strike action in response to the consultation. While we respect every staff member’s right to take part, we want to reassure parents that:
• The school has followed a full and lengthy consultation process.
• We have made all information accessible, including through BSL
interpretation.
• We continue to hope we can meet with union representatives once strike action has been removed or postponed to discuss the situation. We are committed to positive, ongoing communication once this has happened.
• Our priority at all times is the wellbeing, safety, and education of our pupils.
What this means for your child:
Teaching and learning will continue as planned. Our aim is to ensure that
any changes made support:
• better alignment of staff skills with pupil needs
• a stable, financially secure school
• the continued delivery of a high-quality education
Next steps
The consultation concludes on 27 February 2026 for teachers, and the proposed new structure would begin from 1 May 2026. Some final decisions have been made, and we will continue to listen to staff throughout the process. We understand that change can be worrying, and we are committed to keeping you informed. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.
Kind Regards,
Caroline Rowlandson
Headteacher.