The Government today published draft regulations designed to provide workplace protection to support staff in all maintained schools, including foundation and voluntary schools.
If agreed, the regulations will place all school support staff in the maintained sector in the same position as local authority staff. It is designed to prevent the emergence of a two-tier workforce in schools – a concern that had been raised by some trade unions.
David Miliband, minister for school standards, said: “Since we signed the National Agreement on workforce reform, support staff are increasingly recognised as being a key part of the school team, and play an important role in raising standards and providing children with the opportunities they deserve to fulfil their potential.”
Subject to consultation, the new provisions would come into force on 31 March 2005.
