TEACHERS are at risk of redundancy at Poole’s new St Aldhelm’s Academy.

Senior staff have warned they are considering axing at least six classroom-based teachers as well as possibly cutting overtime and hours.

A memo to staff, seen by the Daily Echo, reveals Principal Cheryl Heron and her management team are reviewing staffing levels.

It says this is due to predictions that pupil numbers at the Herbert Avenue academy will not rise for at least four years, as well as the local community’s negative perception of the school.

The memo warns of a projected deficit of £315,000 next year and says: “In order to reduce the predicted deficit we would look to make savings in all areas of the Academy but the greatest savings would be made through a reduction of the teaching staff.”

Complicated criteria for redundancy means teachers involved in disciplinary procedures are at greater risk of losing their jobs than others, as are those with poor attendance records, lack of experience or a record of lateness and unauthorised absence.

Those “currently holding a position of responsibility that will remain” score highly in the so-called performance matrix, as do those with the ability to teach additional subjects and those with qualifications such as a PhD, Masters or Post Graduate Diploma.

There are currently 32.6 full-time equivalent teachers and 72 support staff.

All teaching staff whose role means they spend 50 per cent or more of their time in the classroom are being considered for redundancy.

The academy, on the site of the former Rossmore Community College, currently has 456 young people on roll.

The memo also says: “The Academy aspires to have 1,100 young people attending by 2013. Indications are, however, that we will not see the rise in numbers of young people for the following reasons: “Poole Local Authority forecasts indicate that numbers will not start rising until post 2015.

“Perceptions of the local community towards us. They see us as the predecessor school with a new name.

“Attainment at our predecessor school. We are and will continue to work hard to reverse these indicators but this will not happen in the next two years.

When contacted by the Daily Echo, Ms Heron said: “At the moment nothing is decided and we are in consultation with the unions and the staff.

“We are hoping that there are no redundancies.

“There is no guarantee of anything and there is no time scale.”