Union reports predicts massive funding losses
is now considering the responses to the consultation which ended on March 22.
“Once we know the final decisions there will be further engagement with schools.
“During 2018/19, there will be an element of funding protection so that no school will have an overall drop in budget of more than 3% per pupil.
“But it is far too early to say what the impact of the NFF will be on schools in terms of class size, staff numbers and resources. However, the council is committed to exploring and forging a Kirklees wide approach building on the already strong partnerships that we have with our schools.
“Together we will find creative ways to support the best possible outcomes that place children at the heart of what we do.
“Clearly, a climate with reduced financial resources will require some very challenging decisions to be made, but we are committed to finding the opportunities for working together in an honest and open way.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “The Government has protected the core schools budget in real terms since 2010, but the system for distributing that funding across the country is unfair, opaque and outdated.
“We recognise that schools are facing cost pressures, which is why we will continue to provide support to help them use their funding in cost effective ways and make efficiencies. We know that some schools use their facilities to benefit the community and bring in additional revenue to benefit their students.” A REPORT by the Education Policy Institute estimates the average losses for primary schools will be £74,000 and for secondary schools £291,000.
Figures produced for the website schoolcuts.org.uk – produced by a collaboration of six trade unions – predict six-figure losses for many of Kirklees’ biggest secondaries, sparking fears that the cuts could cost teachers’ jobs.
Trade unions say Kirklees is set to be £34.5m worse off by 2019/20 after a 12% decline in funding between last year and 2019/20.
They have predicted there will be £567 less cash per child in Kirklees by 2020 if the NFF is adopted – making it the 34th worst affected authority in England.
Local schools have said they don’t think the figures are as bad but have confirmed they are facing six-figure cuts the year NFF is brought in.
Moor End Academy at Crosland Moor has confirmed it will be more than £150,000 worse off, while Salendine Nook Academy says it will have £89,000 less cash.
Kirklees MPs have lashed out at the plans.
Batley and Spen Labour MP Tracy Brabin described it as “simply outrageous” and Dewsbury Labour MP Paula Sherriff said: “This is an appalling betrayal of local children.”