Community signs recognition agreement with the University of Chichester Academy Trust

We are excited to announce that we have signed a recognition agreement with the University of Chichester Academy Trust.

This recognition agreement gives Community a formal seat at the table to negotiate on our members’ behalf and make sure their voices are heard in the decisions that affect them. It also provides a clear, legally backed mandate for Community to represent, protect and campaign for members across the Trust’s academies.

Who is covered by this recognition agreement?

If you are a teacher, leader, education professional or support staff who are employed by the Trust, you are covered by this recognition agreement across their 17 academies across Portsmouth, Hampshire and West Sussex:

• Oakmoor School
• Arundel Court Primary Academy and Nursery
• Berewood Primary School
• Bordon Infant School
• Bordon Junior School
• Court Lane Infant Academy
• Court Lane Junior Academy
• Fernhurst Primary School
• The Flying Bull Academy
• Highbury Primary School
• Kingsham Primary School
• Langstone Primary Academy
• Newlands Primary Academy
• Stamshaw Infant School
• Stamshaw Junior School
• Weyford Nursery and Primary Academy
• Woodlea Primary School

Peter Waller, Director of People at Culture at the University of Chichester Academy Trust said:

“At the University of Chichester Academy Trust, we believe that meaningful partnership is key to achieving our ambition of creating a vibrant, inclusive and aspirational family of academies.

“Our staff are the foundation of our success, and our trade union partners are an important voice in helping us support and develop our people.

“This Recognition Agreement formalises and strengthens the positive partnership we already enjoy with our recognised trade unions.

“The Trade Union Recognition Agreement is more than a formal document. It reflects our commitment to working together in a spirit of openness, collaboration and mutual respect, always with the shared goal of delivering the very best for our colleagues, young people and their families.”

What does this recognition agreement mean for our members?

With formal recognition secured across the Trust’s 17 academies, Community can now represent and negotiate on behalf of our members. Whether it is a collective issue affecting your academy, or a personal query regarding your employment, Community is now officially recognised to step in and stand by your side.

This recognition agreement strengthens how decisions are made by ensuring our members have a clear voice in consultations and negotiations. It means:

• members’ terms and conditions are protected in line with the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) and the Burgundy Book, unless formal negotiations take place with Community first;
• Community has a permanent seat on the Joint Consultative Group (JCG), which will meet once per term;
• Community can negotiate directly with the Trust’s executive team on workload, policy, restructures and other key workplace issues.

Community can also now elect workplace representatives, who will receive paid time off to undertake training and their duties. The Trust has also committed to providing our reps with facilities and equipment so they can support our members in their workplaces. Under the agreement, our reps will also be protected from detriment or disciplinary action, without consulting with Community directly first.

Tracy Salisbury, Regional Organiser at Community said:

“We are delighted to have secured this recognition agreement with the Trust. It means our members across all 17 academies now benefit from formal recognition of Community’s role in representing and supporting them.

“Whether members need support with an individual employment query or want to come together on a collective issue, Community now has an official seat at the table to advocate for them at every stage.”

As a modern trade union, we believe lasting progress is built through collaboration with good employers. By developing a positive and transparent relationship with the University of Chichester Academy Trust’s leadership, we aim to help create workplaces where every member of staff feels supported, valued and heard.

We look forward to working closely and constructively with the Trust to build on this agreement and deliver meaningful support for our members.