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GMB union calls on Wandsworth Council to take control of Bradstow School

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The residential special school in Kent is maintained by the council but is facing closure

GMB union is calling for Bradstow School to remain open, along with its 52-week residential facility, and come back under the control of Wandsworth Council, following a consultation meeting on its closure. 

The school is based in Broadstairs, Kent but hosts students referred by LB Wandsworth and neighbouring councils, and is facing financial ruin following years of mismanagement. 

LB Wandsworth’s representatives in the consultation meeting detailed how massive debts were built up in the school by putting provisions in place for children without notifying local authorities to get their consent to pay for these provisions first. 

Local Authorities who have children at the school are now refusing to pay bills to the school that they claim they never agreed to. 

GMB has for years been raising issues around bullying, health and safety failures and management intimidation of staff, on top of financial problems. 

The union has surveyed its membership and 85 per cent have no confidence in management and 83 per cent wish to be balloted for industrial action. 

Alex Etches, GMB Regional Organiser says: 

“Clearly there has been incredible mismanagement of this school for years as our members have detailed to us how senior leadership has led a campaign of intimidation against staff who have been trying to ensure the safe running of the school. 

“We have tried to meaningfully engage with the employer to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the staff and children are put first but have been met with further intimidation and harassment. 

“Wandsworth Council must take the school under direct control and work to save this vital institution for the sake of the children and staff, who should not be punished for the failures of senior management. 

“GMB is calling on Headteacher Sarah Adams and Deputy Headteacher Elliot Blackmore to do the honourable thing and resign their positions, as well as on the Labour-run Council to save the school and residential unit from closure.”