STAFF at two of Witham's schools will be balloted by unions over whether they have confidence in the leadership of the trust which runs them.

The seven unions behind the move say it comes after the Academies Enterprise Trust, which is behind the Maltings and New Rickstones academies, failed to listen to staff concerns over proposed cutbacks and restructuring.

They also claim the planned changes will put the wellbeing of children and workers at "serious risk".

Last ditch talks between the two with conciliation body ACAS are ongoing, but the unions claim the trust has broken an agreement to not make any changes while a resolution was sought.

UNISON head of education Jon Richards said: "AET agreed that restructuring should be paused until ACAS talks were concluded.

"But AET chose Easter Sunday to break this agreement and announce it would immediately push ahead with outsourcing.

"AET is demonstrating a total lack of respect for staff. Its actions are a fundamental breach of trust. UNISON now has no choice but to move to a vote of no confidence and consider options for further action."

The unions claim the workload across the trust's more than 60 schools is making staff unwell.

GMB national officer Sharon Wilde said: "AET is burying its head in the sand.

"The trust is pursuing a policy of outsourcing and cuts to a dangerous level, whilst creating an environment that is so stressful for staff it is literally making them ill, and this is not conducive to a calm and happy working environment in which children can learn."

The trust said it was 'sad' the unions had decided to ballot staff and said it is "simply untrue" to say changes would put children and staff at risk.

A spokesman said: "We are saddened that the unions have taken this stance as we have at all points made every effort to engage with them in constructive dialogue.

"We believe that progress was being made and have every hope that this will continue.

"We met with union representatives immediately before the Easter weekend and offered to meet again immediately after. The first date they are available is 13 May.

"We look forward to those discussions and hope they will engage in a similarly constructive manner.

"Everything we do is focused on ensuring that our schools are providing the best possible education, and it is simply untrue to say that the changes we are making are putting children or staff at risk."

The spokesman added the changes the trust had made since it took over its 60 schools across the country had put it on a "solid and sustainable footing" and said "results are improving year on year."