BEAULIEU staff are “vulnerable and at risk of being harmed” by the “erratic and questionable management practices” at the school, the Island’s largest teaching union has said.
NASUWT representative Marina Mauger yesterday told the JEP that she is “deeply concerned” for union members working at the school after it emerged that three senior staff members had been given redundancy notices.
She said: “The treatment of some staff members has been nothing short of cruel and outrageous, showing no semblance of charity and no consideration for their mental health and wellbeing.”
It comes after a particularly turbulent few years for Beaulieu, which has seen several significant top-level changes amid a period of financial difficulty, and a critical independent report.
The 800-student-strong school issued an apology to parents at the start of 2023 after an independent report uncovered leadership failings, a “lack of accountability and a dip in educational standards”.
Calls for a vote of no confidence in chief executive officer Chris Beirne and chief operating officer Pippa Davidson-Coleshill followed, with Mr Beirne leaving with immediate effect in the same month, while Ms Davidson Coleshill resigned at the end of that year.
Beaulieu fought to make rapid improvements to its standards and governance in the wake of the report, and a follow-up review in May 2024 praised its swift and “effective action”.
But financial information showed that the school was on course to become insolvent at the end of last year, with the government guaranteeing a £2.5m overdraft and taking on the lease for Beaulieu’s building.
This prompted calls from politicians for private schools that receive government grants to be more transparent about their spending.
New headteacher Matthew Burke previously said he felt the school was “in a strong position moving forward” – but it has now emerged that Beaulieu is still facing “significant challenges”, according to the NASUWT.
Ms Mauger said that while staff members have “remained steadfast in their commitment to delivering high-quality education within a caring, Christian environment”, she has “witnessed behaviour from the ‘executive’ leadership team that is shockingly un-Christian and shows a blatant disregard for staff wellbeing.”
She added: “The staff and I placed our trust and confidence in the school’s governors and senior management. Regrettably, that trust now seems to have been misplaced.
“The highly dedicated staff at Beaulieu Convent School are now left vulnerable and at risk of being harmed by the erratic and questionable management practices currently in place.
“After extensive consultation, I am left feeling both disappointed and deeply concerned for our members who remain at the school.”
She also raised concerns about the external HR provider employed by the school.
Ms Mauger said that the NASUWT “remains committed to supporting the excellent staff of Beaulieu and preventing history repeating itself”.
Beaulieu has been approached for comment.
