SCHOOLS in Frome could be nearly a quarter of a million pounds worse off in 2019 and one local head teacher has said the quality of education across the country is at risk because of Government cuts.
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) is campaigning for better funding for schools, and has predicted that schools in Frome could receive £246,880 less from the Government in 2019 than they did in 2016.
The figure is despite the new national funding formula announced in December. The formula is expected to benefit local schools but the NUT says other cuts mean they will still lose money.
The NUT’s figures show some schools hit harder than others – Oakfield Academy could be £95,822 down while St Louis Catholic Primary School could lose £10,112.
The NUT expects that most schools in Frome will have less funding than they do now and that the town could lose an average of £77.25 per pupil. Somerset County Council’s base spending this year was between £2,800 and £4,200 per pupil.
The teachers’ union’s figures predict that Oakfield Academy would be worst hit, followed by Selwood Academy, which could lose £64,236 and Vallis First School with £21,262.
The amounts are predicted by calculating the impact of the cash freeze on per pupil income, a proposed cut to the Education Services Grant and the proposed National Funding Formula.
Jean Hopegood, headteacher at Selwood Academy told Frome Times, “Frome schools have long awaited the fairer funding formula and I believe this initiative will impact favourably for the children, if managed properly.
“It is deeply frustrating, however, that it comes at the time when other funding has been redirected to support the grammar school agenda and therefore the little funding Frome schools gain will in fact be counterbalanced by what we lose.
“Education matters deeply and this financial crisis isn’t going to disappear. The incredible goodwill and positivity of staff and the immense support of parents is what keeps us determined at the moment.
“It is clear however that schools and academies will struggle to continue to make further additional savings without reducing their biggest cost, which is staffing. The Selwood staff are the greatest asset, particularly in supporting many of our most vulnerable learners in Frome. These further future cuts in educational spending mean the quality of education and provision is at risk right across the country.
“These are without doubt some of the most challenging times I have seen in education since the 1990s, but this does not mean that we cannot rise to the challenge and remain positive and energised. This is what teachers do every day, week in week out.”
Jean’s comments are printed in full on page 19.
Kevin Courtney, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers said, “No headteacher should be put in the position of increasing class sizes, leaving building repairs undone or cutting staff and resources simply to balance the books. Nor should any parent accept this for their child. We are one of the richest countries in the world. We can and we should be funding our schools properly.”
Schools’ losses predicted by the NUT, as on 21st December 2016, are: Selwood Academy £64,236 (£104 per pupil); St Louis £10,112 (£47); Vallis £21,262 (£75); St John’s £12,184 (£41); Oakfield Academy £95,822 (£166); Trinity £14,068 (£47); Christ Church £14,947 (£85); Hayesdown £14,249 (£53). Frome College was not expected to lose money, and there were no figures for the Steiner Academy.
Find out more about the campaign and how the figures are calculated at www.schoolcuts.org.uk.
