A UNION representative claims plans are in place to cut staff hours at Leominster’s new primary school.

Unison’s David Stevens claims that the hours worked by Teaching Assistants (TAs) could be slashed by more than half.

Leominster Primary, which opened last year after the town’s infant and junior schools amalgamated, aims to place a greater emphasis on improving standards in English and maths, with a proposal to employ more teachers to boost results within these core areas.

But Mr Stevens said staff, and unison members, are concerned about the negative impact the changes could have on the school’s pupils.

He said: “First of all this isn’t a consultation about finances.

“The school has more than £400,000 in reserves — it’s a healthy, vibrant school.

“The principal wants to cut the weekly hours of TAs down from 754 to 310, mostly in key stage two.”

Mr Stevens said each school year group currently has about 90 pupils with each class employing a TA.

Should the proposals go ahead, however, there would be just one TA for the entire year group, according to Mr Stevens.

It is also proposed that there will be a new teacher, per year group, to focus entirely on English and maths as well as a new assistant head.

But the pitch of an extrteacher in place of a TA is not something that the union entirely agrees with.

“How are you going to guarantee that if safeguarding issues come up there’s a familiar face that pupils feel happy to share their concerns with?” asked Mr Stevens.

He added raised fears that additional good value activities and subjects, such as music and arts, would be cut.

The consultation runs until next week.

In a statement, Herefordshire Council said: “Leominster Primary School is currently carrying out a consultation with some staff on proposals to make the best use of staff skills and resources.

“It was always the plan that staffing arrangements would be reviewed and changed once the primary school had started to operate in the new buildings.”