GreeN Party Mendip District Councillors and candidates for the forthcoming County elections, have condemned the government’s so-called “Fair Funding” reforms on education which, they claim, will represent an overall reduction in most school budgets over the next three years. This will impact heavily on Frome schools.
Martin Dimery, County Councillor candidate for Somerset’s Frome East division, who spent 26 years in teaching, mostly in Frome, explained, “The Government’s new formula to fund schools fairly appears to be a thinly disguised attempt to make massive cuts in budgets. Schools in Somerset are already at a disadvantage relative to more urban schools, and things are about to get worse. According to the latest sources, by 2019 there will be a £12.5 million drop in spending in Somerset.”
Amongst Frome schools, most heavily hit is Oakfield Academy, which is likely to be £213,697 worse off – or £373 per pupil. It may be forced to lose five teachers to help compensate. Vallis First School is set to lose over £70,000 per year from its budget or £251 per pupil, whilst Frome College, the town’s only upper school which takes in pupils from 13 to 18 years old will be £156 per pupil worse off, meaning the potential loss of three teachers.
“What is astonishing is the amount of money the government is currently spending on teacher recruitment with television advertisements,” continued Mr. Dimery. “Teachers are already unable to cope with the pressure of working under budget constraints and ever increasing demands for results. On average, a teacher only remains in the profession for three years after qualifying.”
Green Party Councillor Des Harris, a former head teacher commented, “These cuts over time are bound to bring about even greater pressure on Frome’s excellent schools. Frankly, our children deserve better than this. It is significant the government is putting in £250 million towards developing grammar schools- money which could be better spent on improving the quality of education for all.”
Martin Dimery suggested particular concern for Frome’s increasing population. “The town is expanding and this means new schools may need to be built. A recent educational survey presented to the Government suggested that class sizes was not a contributory factor in quality education. This is nonsense, and may be used to justify over-filling our already packed classrooms.
“The Green Party opposes the government’s misguided funding cuts nationwide, and here in Frome, which has often been neglected in funding allocations. We recognise that there is a particular risk of local children losing out and will fight to prevent this.”
