A pioneering school has been criticised by union bosses for losing 29 teachers - allegedly over plans to bring in a five-term year.

Leaders of the National Union of Teachers have blamed staff leaving from the Greensward School in Hockley, on plans to alter its traditional three-term academic year.

The concept was launched last year and after consultations, school governors have decided to press on with the switch. They plan to introduce it in February.

Jerry Glazier - NUT national executive representative for Essex - believes the planned change to the terms was a "contributory factor" prompting staff to leave.

He said: "What we do know is that a number of staff are leaving this year because the pattern of the year is being changed.

"This time last year 15 staff left and now another 14 are leaving.

"The school denies it's to do with changing the term structure and says there are numerous reasons.

"However, I consider 29 members of staff leaving in 12 months is a large number to lose.

"Whatever the reasons they are leaving - and there could be other reasons - I believe the change of the school year is a contributory factor.

He added: "A school needs to be at the heart of the community and reflect those community's needs.

"I don't believe it is sensible for an individual school to operate differently to the rest of the community."

Mr Glazier said the three local education authorities - Essex, Southend and Thurrock - were carrying out a detailed consultation over two years about the idea of moving schools to a five-term year.

He added: "It's not too late for them to seriously consider whether its sensible to alter the school year - particularly in the context of a major investigation of the issue by the three main councils in Essex."

No one was available to comment about the claims from the Greensward School.

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