WINTON and Glenmoor schools in Bournemouth are set to lose seven teaching assistants each when jobs are axed next term, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Head teacher of both schools Roger Allen refused to reveal how many redundancies he is considering when asked earlier this week.

But the Echo has seen a document about the proposed support staff structure at the two schools, which reveals proposals for teaching assistants and higher level teaching assistants “to be reduced by approximately seven” at each school.

All staff except teachers at the schools have been officially notified that their jobs are at risk and a consultation process is under way.

They will not find out if their jobs are safe until September because the 30-day consultation period will be interrupted by the six-week summer break.

Parents spoken to by the Echo yesterday said they fear the loss of teaching assistants will have a detrimental effect on pupils, particularly at Winton, which is currently in special measures.

Lee Butler said: “I’ve just put my son in here with the guarantee that the school is going to get better.

“I expect this will be affecting the children.

“It really isn’t good enough. If the kids aren’t getting educated, they’re going to say: ‘why go to school?’ They can’t keep cutting all these people back.”

A mother, who asked not to be named, said: “I would like to know what’s going to happen because my son is special needs. How’s it going to affect those with special needs who receive one to one care?

“My son’s in his first year at Winton and overall I’m not impressed. Because of its bad reputation, lots of his friends have gone to different schools. They’ve got to pull their socks up.”

Nicci Monks said: “It’s dreadful. They’re supposed to be trying to get out of special measures, not make it worse.

“My son will be in his last year, but it’s his most important year. This is not good for him and I’m sure it’s going to have a knock-on effect on further education.”