WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
Letter
Inside UBAT
Dear HIP
As a former primary school leader with over 14 years of experience in Hastings, I am deeply concerned by the decisions currently being made regarding the future of our primary schools. Both the Labour and Conservative parties seem to treat the situation as a poorly executed PR stunt. Had they consulted with primary school leaders, they would know that many within the leadership of UBAT schools do not share their view. The reality is a deeply unsettling atmosphere in schools, where staff—who have dedicated their careers to improving student outcomes—are now facing job insecurity. This is not reflected in the political party celebratory press releases.
The National Education Union (NEU) has faced its own struggles with UBAT, but this latest development undermines all their progress. Previous strike actions now seem to have been for nothing, and future negotiations with new trusts will lead to further disruption. Many staff in Hastings’ schools, who have worked tirelessly to improve students’ lives, are at risk of redundancy. Yet, political leaders and unions remain silent on these potential consequences, misinforming the public.
A critical issue is the misunderstanding surrounding central charges. While secondary schools in Hastings contribute to a central pot, the suggestion that this money funds a luxurious central team in Brighton is absurd. UBAT does not operate in Brighton; instead, its central staff largely work within schools, supporting local operations. A significant portion of secondary school funding has been redirected to help primary schools under financial strain. UBAT’s executive team failed to communicate this clearly, allowing widespread misinformation to contribute to the current crisis.
The real problem now is fragmentation. The Department for Education plans to divide Hastings schools among multiple trusts, potentially from outside the area. These trusts will have little incentive to support one another; for example, a trust taking on a secondary school will have no incentive to help a rival trust with its primary school. This could lead to school closures or redundancies, further damaging our Hastings schools.
UBAT’s original model (carried over from the Hastings Academies Trust), where secondary schools supported primary schools, was effective. However, more attention should have been paid to other trusts in the Hastings area, particularly those that should have been more inclusive, but instead moved more challenging students towards the inclusive UBAT schools.
The lack of accountability from UBAT’s trustees is also a major issue. These individuals, who are disconnected from Hastings, have failed in their oversight and are now walking away without facing any consequences.
The best solution for Hastings would be a return to a model like the original Hastings Academies Trust; one trust with leadership that understands and prioritises the community’s unique needs. This would prevent the fragmentation of schools and allow dedicated staff to continue their vital work. Simply returning to Local Authority control, as suggested by Labour / NEU, is not the answer. The schools opted to join a single trust because of the poor performance of the LA.
The writer remains in the teaching profession and has asked for anonymity.
Letter
End Game for Local Councils
Dear HIP
I read with interest your piece in HIP 268 End Game for Local Councils in which you reported that the council was to be moved, along with other councils, to a centralised ‘service’. This is happening in North Yorkshire, where the councils of outlying areas were moved centrally to Harrogate. Undoubtedly the driver for this is money. And I think your reported fears of doing this are correct, in that there will be unfair redistribution of resources. As far as I am aware, this has been borne out in this northern locale.
Harrogate is a well-to-do area of Yorkshire, as is York, and it seems that those who pay most get most. It looks to me that the areas of Scarborough and Bridlington (not well-to-do areas) do not receive as much financial support as the more well-off areas, and obviously the needs of the electorate cannot be met from such an arms-length organisation. I think your reported fears are real and as someone who lives here, I do not support it.
B Ward
Letter
Delayed Elections
Dear Editor,
The Government is cancelling local elections for over FIVE MILLION voters. They won’t have the chance to hold their councils or their councillors to account. They won’t have any say on the biggest changes to local democracy in 50 years.
The Government claims that it’s just a delay for one year, but it’s widely predicted that it will be two or three years until council reorganisation is complete.
That’s too long to go without a say. Democracy delayed is democracy denied.
The Government should think again and voters should get to exercise their right to vote this May as planned.
Stephen Akerman
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