NEARLY £5m is set to be slashed from school budgets in Rugby borough.
It has raised fears the severe Government cost-cutting, part of a new national schools funding formula, will stretch educational resources in the borough to the limit.
Website www.SchoolCuts.org.uk – set up by the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) and education union ATL – predicts how much individual school budgets are set to lose by 2019.
In Rugby borough, Ashlawn School’s estimated loss is £829,961; Avon Valley’s £553,163; Bilton’s £549,409; Lawrence Sheriff’s £362,376; Rugby High’s £333,811; and Harris’ £288,026.
It also predicts such sweeping cuts could result in the loss of over 80 teacher jobs across the borough’s six secondary schools.
And primary schools are also set be hit. Independent research body the Education Policy Institute suggests the new national funding formula would on average see each primary school lose out to the tune of more than £70,000.
Warwickshire NUT Division Secretary Martin McMahon said the cuts were the most severe in living memory, and would see funding sink lower than at any time since 1960.
He said: “The impact will be larger class sizes, fewer teaching assistants, fewer textbooks and other resources.
“The life chances of the most vulnerable will be hit hardest – those with learning difficulties and other special needs, and those from less well-off families whose parents are least able to buy the textbooks and other resources which schools will be unable to afford.
“We know many Warwickshire schools are already struggling financially.
“All being Conservatives, Warwickshire MPs are in an excellent position to send this clear message to the Government – education is an investment not a cost. Cutting this investment can only make our precarious future outside the EU much more so.
“Today’s children are tomorrow’s workforce. If we under-invest in our workforce compared with our competitors, what chance have we got?”
Rugby MP Mark Pawsey said: “Since the Conservatives came to office in 2010 the core school budget has been protected in real terms, as has been per pupil funding in cash terms. Also this year school funding is at its highest level on record at over £40bn.
“The present unfair and outdated postcode lottery in school funding has adversely affected schools in Warwickshire for many years and needs to be addressed. The Government has widely consulted on potential changes, with the second stage of the consultation ending this week.
“It would be wrong to speculate on the Government’s final proposals but I will continue to do all I can to ensure schools in Rugby benefit from any changes to the funding system.”
But fellow Tory MP Nadhim Zhawi in neighbouring Stratford was quick to voice his opposition.
He said: “I share the concerns of heads, teachers, governors, parents, and pupils about the effect the present funding proposals would have.
“In my recent meetings, head teachers have made it very clear the proposed cuts are simply unsustainable, especially given most if not all schools have already undertaken significant measures to reduce costs in recent years to accommodate tightening budgets.
“I fully support the Department for Education’s commitment to delivering a fairer national funding formula for schools. I do feel, however, the present proposals are not right for schools in my constituency and it is for this reason that I am supporting them in their opposition to the cuts.”
