JOBS are under threat at the trust which runs Ormiston Forge Academy in Cradley Heath - with a union claiming the safety of pupils could be put at risk.

Ormiston Academies Trust plans to axe caretaker and maintenance roles - the move has been criticised by Unison - which said the safety of pupils and staff could be at risk if it goes ahead.

The trust, which runs seven schools in the Black Country including secondary school Ormiston Forge, in Wrights Lane, Cradley Heath, also announced plans to cut IT jobs with staff set to learn their fate just before Christmas.

More than 130 jobs across the UK are affected.

From next April, Ormiston Academies Trust plans to replace on site caretaking and maintenance teams with a slimmed-down force working across multiple sites.

Unison said it is concerned not enough thought has been given to the health, safety and welfare impact of cutting caretaking and maintenance roles.

It is urging the trust to pause its plans until a full assessment and consultation can take place, saying setting aside barely a month to decide the future of staff isn’t long enough.

The threatened workers are responsible for conducting fire safety checks and ensuring fire alarms and escape routes are up to scratch.

They also carry out regular building checks to make sure they’re safe and free of hazardous materials, such as asbestos.

Unison West Midlands regional secretary Ravi Subramanian said: “Employees crucial to the smooth running of schools are being pushed out of their jobs so a trust, which paid its chief executive £184,160 in 2018, can save on the salaries of caretakers, maintenance workers and ICT staff.

“Time and time again we’ve seen large organisations impose cost-cutting measures that sound good in the boardroom, but in the real world lead to poorer services, low morale, unemployment and, in this case, safety risks.

“Ormiston must halt its plans now and set aside a more realistic amount of time to consult with unions about a plan that affects many workers, pupils and parents across the West Midlands. That’s the very least it can do.”

An Ormiston spokeswoman said: "As a financially responsible charity, which is absolutely committed to serving its pupils, we have opened a consultation on the current staffing and operational structures so that they are as efficient as possible.

“The process to date has of course included provision for the most robust health and safety standards going forward – nothing is more important than ensuring health and safety is of the highest standard, and that will remain the case. It is irresponsible and entirely wrong to even suggest we would compromise on this.

“No decisions on the future structure have been made because we are still in a consultation period with our staff and trade unions."

Ormiston also runs George Salter Academy in West Bromwich, Sandwell Community Academy in Tividale, Wodensborough Academy in Wednesbury, Shelfield Community Academy in Pelsall, Walsall, SWB Academy in Bilston and the NEW Academy in Fordhouses, Wolverhampton as well as a host of other schools across the UK.