Dyslexic students lose out as more than 50% of staff resign over contract row
27 October 2008
An esteemed support service for hundreds of dyslexic college students is set to lose more than half of its staff after the deadline passed for them to sign up to inferior contracts or face dismissal.
Chelmsford College gave its qualified dyslexia support tutors limited notice that their contracts would be changed to 32-week or 35-week 'term-time only' contracts which would reduce their salaries by up to 30%. They were told that if they didn't sign up to the new contract by October 20, they would be sacked.
Three tutors declined to sign the inferior contract. Another has asked to resign with immediate effect. A further tutor is minded to resign under protest, pending the response of a letter she has sent to the college's chair of governors. Just four tutors have accepted the inferior contract: less than 50% of the total specialised staff. They have done so under pressure: due to personal circumstances.
The dyslexia support service has an excellent record. Last year, it offered diagnostic assessment and/or support (usually consisting of one hour per week of specialist 1:1 tuition depending on the learner's needs) for 230 students: both 16-19 year-olds and adults. Since its creation ten years ago, the service has been continually expanding and has been regarded as highly effective in two OFSTED inspections.
Now, referrals to the service are being dealt with by a manager who does not have appropriate specialist dyslexic training. Also, the college management has proposed that Learning Support Assistants, who do not have appropriate specialist dyslexia training or qualifications, and are not paid at the appropriate level, will in future provide a much greater amount of the support. These measures will inevitably result in students not officially being identified as dyslexic and not receiving appropriate support.
The manager of the dyslexia support service, Dr Clive Perrett, who has spent ten years establishing the service, has been suspended. He has still not been reinstated.
The UCU branch has organised a series of lunchtime protests.
UCU regional official for further education in Essex, Elizabeth Martins, said: 'It is extremely sad that loyal and dedicated staff have been treated in this way resulting in their inability to accept such an inferior contract and effectively having been forced to resign. Those staff who have had no choice but to continue working in the service will of course be demoralised.
'The college alleges that it had put these proposals on the table to minimise disruption to students but it will now lose more than 50% of specialised staff, causing maximum disruption to a large number of students who really need this support.
'The dyslexia team put together a set of workable counter-proposals which would have saved money and even generated new income, while preserving the integrity of the service. However, management have unreasonably refused to consider any of them. The college appears determined not to enter a meaningful process of consultation with UCU.'
Three tutors declined to sign the inferior contract. Another has asked to resign with immediate effect. A further tutor is minded to resign under protest, pending the response of a letter she has sent to the college's chair of governors. Just four tutors have accepted the inferior contract: less than 50% of the total specialised staff. They have done so under pressure: due to personal circumstances.
The dyslexia support service has an excellent record. Last year, it offered diagnostic assessment and/or support (usually consisting of one hour per week of specialist 1:1 tuition depending on the learner's needs) for 230 students: both 16-19 year-olds and adults. Since its creation ten years ago, the service has been continually expanding and has been regarded as highly effective in two OFSTED inspections.
Now, referrals to the service are being dealt with by a manager who does not have appropriate specialist dyslexic training. Also, the college management has proposed that Learning Support Assistants, who do not have appropriate specialist dyslexia training or qualifications, and are not paid at the appropriate level, will in future provide a much greater amount of the support. These measures will inevitably result in students not officially being identified as dyslexic and not receiving appropriate support.
The manager of the dyslexia support service, Dr Clive Perrett, who has spent ten years establishing the service, has been suspended. He has still not been reinstated.
The UCU branch has organised a series of lunchtime protests.
UCU regional official for further education in Essex, Elizabeth Martins, said: 'It is extremely sad that loyal and dedicated staff have been treated in this way resulting in their inability to accept such an inferior contract and effectively having been forced to resign. Those staff who have had no choice but to continue working in the service will of course be demoralised.
'The college alleges that it had put these proposals on the table to minimise disruption to students but it will now lose more than 50% of specialised staff, causing maximum disruption to a large number of students who really need this support.
'The dyslexia team put together a set of workable counter-proposals which would have saved money and even generated new income, while preserving the integrity of the service. However, management have unreasonably refused to consider any of them. The college appears determined not to enter a meaningful process of consultation with UCU.'
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