Disgruntled staff are preparing to strike again at a Blackheath academy embroiled in a row over redundancies.

Cuts to Halley Academy support workers led to job losses earlier this year and sparked concern over the help available for high-needs pupils.

A total of nine staff had their roles cut, with another eight taking voluntary redundancy, in a bid to save cash and avoid the school falling into deficit.

Now staff are set to strike for a third time, taking aim at the Leigh Academy Trust, the body running the school.

Workers will demonstrate at LAT headquarters in Strood after picketing outside the school on May 14.

Unions say “vital roles” have been scrapped and that it will hit the academy’s 160 high-needs pupils.

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UNISON Greater London regional secretary Maggi Ferncombe said: “The scale of cuts to support staff are breathtaking and will have a terrible impact on children’s education.

“UNISON will continue to meet with LAT and seek a resolution to this dispute in good faith. It’s not too late for the school to see sense and reverse these damaging cuts.

“However, after unexpectedly informing staff by email that they would be put on gardening leave, the employer has a long way to go to rebuild trust. Unless we see improvements soon, it will be hard to avoid continuing and escalating industrial action.”

Formerly Corelli College, the school in Corelli Road was originally Kidbrooke School – Britain’s first purpose-built comprehensive school.

It is understood that 11 teaching assistants, four learning mentors and four support staff were in line to be axed, with one TA job now being retained and two taking up new roles.

Fears over support left for kids with extra needs have previously been played down by the LAT, who said cuts were a last resort.

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“To address the current cost pressures we are under, and to stabilise our future, we have made savings wherever possible in other areas but a reduction in support staff numbers has become inevitable,” a spokesman for the trust said.

“Throughout this process we have consulted widely and openly with all staff and their union  representatives. No evidence has emerged from that process which has convinced us that the changes we are making will negatively impact any of our students, including our most vulnerable children.

“Nor have any other credible cost reduction alternatives been put forward.”

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The school said the timing of the strikes, which have forced the school to close for years 8 and nine, is “deeply regrettable” as kids take their exams.

“Several local unions stand on a national anti-academies political platform. They have encouraged significant disruption for a long time at other Greenwich schools which is causing rising dismay amongst parents concerned by the impact on their children’s future.

“We are very sorry that they now consider it necessary to spread such disruption to our academy.”

Halley Academy was taken over by Leigh Academy Trust in 2018.

A separate picket outside the John Roan is also set to take place before a demonstration in London.