SUPPORT is pouring in for three experienced and well-loved teachers who are facing redundancy.

News that three teachers from North Town Primary School, Taunton, who have been at the school for more than a decade, would not be returning to the school in September has sparked an emotional response from parents alongside former and current pupils.

Currently, PE teacher Mark Templeton (Mr T), art teacher Harriet Heywood and Spanish teacher Tanya Mitchell are used as ‘PPA’ cover - time given to class teachers to plan and prepare for their lessons.

Headteacher Mike Snowden says although it isn’t something the teachers would have chosen, it’s something they understand.

“We are gutted,” he said. “No one wants to make valuable staff redundant. Costs are gradually rising and if we didn’t do something, our cost would overtake our income.

“We looked at increasing the class sizes, but they would have been very big, so we had to look at staffing.

“Teachers are our most valuable asset, but they are an expensive one.”

Somerset County Gazette:

Adam Dunstan. 

In response to the news, former pupil Adam Dunstan, 13, created a petition to save the teachers, and it has since been signed by more than 1,000 people.

He said: “Loads of people seemed really upset so I thought that it would help.

“I never expected so many people to sign, I thought I would get around 30. The teachers are so supportive and encouraging.

“It’s sad to think that other children going to the school won’t have the same great experiences as I did.

“It’s not sad - it’s devastating.”

Another former pupil, Jamie Jewell, is about to complete his BA in sports development and coaching and says that without Mr T’s continued support it would not have been possible.

Parents said they understand the strains schools are under financially, but would have appreciated more information before the decision was made.

One parent said: “We weren’t told what was going on so we didn’t understand. We would have appreciated the opportunity to fundraise for them, even if we’d failed.

“Mr T is more than ‘just’ a PE teacher, he is the school and I can’t imagine it without him.”

Another praised his efforts in boosting the confidence of children and for giving up his own time for afterschool clubs.

She said: “We just want them to know how valued they are. It’s the reason many parents chose the school.

“Having a language provision was a big selling point.”

The teachers said that they looked forward to exploring their fields further, with Mr T agreeing that he would have made the same decision if he was the school’s leader.

Mr Snowden explained that the school had been ‘unique’ in its method of having qualified teachers cover PPA, and the change would bring them in line with other schools.

He added: “We have been lucky to provide this cover for so long.

“What we are left with will be very good - but it won’t be what they could bring. They’ve left a great legacy.

“We haven’t made the decision lightly, but we had to make a sacrifice.

“We have come to an agreement and we ask the parents to respect that decision.”