Parents have planned a protest at Rapham High School over proposed cuts.

Campaigners are to protest outside a high school over proposals to cut 25 staff members.

Parents said they would visit Rapham High School and College (RHSC) on Wednesday after the Synergy Multi-Academy Trust said it had restructuring plans, both there and at Litcham School, due to “financial challenges”.

Laura Marfell-Williams, one of the organizers of the protest, said: “The prospect of losing a quarter of teaching staff cannot be allowed to happen.”

The BBC has contacted Synergy for comment and understands that 16 teachers, one senior leadership staff member and eight support staff could be made redundant at Rapham and five posts could go to Leacham.

Mrs Marfell Williams, who has two children in Rapham, said the protest would take place between 8:00 and 09:00 GMT to “support teachers and raise awareness among parents”.

“It is an injustice that the trust seems to be looking to Refam to solve its financial problems.

“It serves a huge catchment area; it’s the heart of the community.

“It’s not just about jeopardizing the children’s future education, but losing jobs would be a huge blow.”

Mrs Marfell Williams has helped set up the parent action group “Stand with RHSC Teachers and Staff” and says it has gained 500 Facebook followers in five days.

A petition set up by another parent has been signed by more than 1,000 people.

More than 1,000 children, aged between 11 and 18, are on Litcham’s roll with 749 pupils at the school.

Synergy has stated that a The staff consultation process will begin in January. And those affected will not return for the new school year in September.

In a letter to RHSC parents, Synergy said its school budgets were under “tremendous” pressure and reduced government funding – as well as falling rolls due to birth rates – meant not every school place was filled. had gone

It said its comprehensive review would look at savings “while minimizing the impact on the overall functioning of the school”.

“We will continue to ensure that RHSC provides a high quality education,” he added.

Scott Lyons, district and branch secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), represents employees who may be directly affected by the changes.

He said that he would participate in the protest on Wednesday on behalf of these members.

Mr Lyons said he had met with the trust and told them “not to underestimate the strength of feeling in the community”.

“The quality of Rapham and Leacham is second to none – they are beacons of best practice and the schools will become unrecognizable if the proposed changes go ahead,” he said.

Synergy is based on the Reepham site and operates 15 schools – its primary school is in the town. Have to go through Its roofs should be repaired immediately. earlier this year.

In the recently submitted accounts dated October 2023, it was stated that “the trust’s cash balance has been very healthy throughout the year”.

North Norfolk Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Acquarone He said he had arranged a meeting with the trust on Wednesday to address the “serious concerns” raised about the RHSC.

“A cut of around 25 per cent of teaching staff, with further cuts in non-teaching roles, has led to widespread concern about the impact on the quality of education and the future sustainability of the school,” he said.