Controversial academy switch is decided today

FEARS TRANSFER WOULD 'RESULT IN A LOSS OF £700 OF FUNDING PER PUPIL'

- RACHEL ALEXANDER

GOVERNORS at a Walsall school will meet today to decide whether it should join Matrix Academy Trust.

Staff at Elmwood SEMH School, in King George Crescent, Rushall, have been on strike since March 11 and held several protests outside it premises, and Matrix Academy offices, along with Walsall Council House.

Protesters claim the statutory consultation has not been transparent, and that they have been kept in the dark.

A spokesman for Elmwood School has disputed the protesters' claims, stating that the consultation has been 'open and transparent'.

The National Education Union (NEU) claim that if the transfer were to go ahead it would result in a loss of £700 of funding per pupil.

Walsall Council said it did not recognise the financial figures disclosed by the NEU.

The most recent salary data for Matrix Academy Trust from the financial year of 2023/24 states 13 staff members were paid between £80,000 and £150,000, excluding pension contributions.

One staff member was on a salary of up to £150,000, another was paid up to £130,000, five were paid up to £110,000, three paid up to £100,000 and another three between £80,000 and £90,000.