The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), overseeing 24 schools across Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, Staffordshire, and Warwickshire, has announced a new phase of restructuring, including job cuts and a reduction in their iPad scheme, amidst ongoing financial difficulties.
Earlier this year, ATLP faced teacher and staff strikes over planned job cuts, which were part of efforts to manage a spiraling debt nearing £10 million. The Trust, responsible for a mix of secondaries, primaries, and a special school, had seen significant unrest in January following National Education Union (NEU) strike action driven by concerns over circa 100 proposed redundancies.
Following the resignation of former Chief Executive Richard Gill, interim CEO Lee Miller brokered a temporary agreement with the NEU. This deal suspended further compulsory job cuts and focused on reducing central Trust overheads to preserve funding for schools. The Trust has faced criticism for its ‘top slice’ funding allocation—formerly over 25% of school budgets taken for central services.
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In a recent parent update, Miller announced a revised funding model that will reduce the top slice to 5.5%, aligning with similar-sized trusts. This adjustment aims to streamline essential shared services such as safeguarding, school improvement, estates management, and operational support, while eliminating duplication. However, the new model requires restructuring of the central team, inevitably resulting in job losses, though the Trust has declined to disclose the number of positions at risk.
Previously, ATLP drew scrutiny for its ambitious “iPads for all” initiative, which provided more than 11,000 Apple tablets to pupils. Now, about half of these leased devices—approximately 5,500—are set to be returned as leases expire in July. The remaining iPads will be redistributed within schools, with priority given to students in key exam years. The Trust emphasized that these changes aim to maintain educational benefits while adopting a more sustainable, cost-effective approach.
Financially, the Trust has already secured £4.5 million in repayable loans from the Department for Education (DfE) and recently obtained additional unspecified funding to cover restructuring costs on a non-recoverable grant basis. This support signals ongoing government involvement as ATLP explores long-term stability options, which may include changes to the Trust’s structure or even school realignments.
In his letter to parents, Miller committed to continued collaboration with the DfE to secure the best possible outcomes for pupils and promised further updates as plans develop. Meanwhile, consultations with unions and staff are underway, though specifics remain under wraps due to the sensitive nature of the restructuring process.
ATLP’s network includes several schools that participated in strikes earlier this year, such as Arthur Terry School, The Royal Sutton School, and Stockland Green School, among others, while some schools remained unaffected.