Jobs risk under New Regent’s College upper school site closure plan

Jobs risk: The New Regent’s College upper school site in Shoreditch

As many as 19 jobs, including those of teachers, could be at risk because of the closure of a school site deemed “not fit for purpose” by the head of Hackney Learning Trust.

The Nile Street building in Shoreditch which houses the upper school of New Regent’s College is due to be rebuilt over the next three years, Learning Trust Education Director Tricia Okoruwa confirmed.

She said: “We are committed to maintaining high quality future provision to meet the needs of some of Hackney’s most vulnerable pupils, and the learning provision and building at the Nile Street site are simply not fit for purpose.

“At this stage, much of the upper school provision is commissioned out to other providers, so there will be little disruption to pupils.

“The lower school site will remain open while the Nile Street site is rebuilt as a dual site for the upper and lower school.”

A Hackney Council spokesperson said the rebuild was in the feasibility stage and the final timetable was yet to be confirmed.

It is understood the risk of redundancies is due to restructuring being planned as part of the move.

The council spokesperson said: “Consultation with staff is underway and due to end on 9 May. 19 posts are considered at risk.

“Where possible, changes will be achieved through voluntary redundancy, redeployment or transfers under TUPE.”

New Regent’s College serves as Hackney’s pupil referral unit and educates pupils who have been permanently excluded from other schools in the borough.

It is headed up by Richard Brown, who is also Headteacher at The Urswick School.

Hackney UNISON branch secretary Matthew Waterfall said he did not want to comment on the potential job cuts as he was in “sensitive” negotiations on the subject. Hackney NUT secretary Sandra Hall is leading on the issue for her union.