‘Schools making cash cuts to balance budgets’
More than a third of schools in the North East say they have already had to make cuts to balance their budgets, claim an education union.
A survey by school leaders’ union NAHT says 36% of school heads in the region have already had to make cuts to balance their budget and 23% predict a deficit budget in 2021/22 based on current funding levels.
School leaders say the cost pressures include:
*Costs associated with maintaining coronavirus safety controls.
*Providing required support for pupils with special educational needs.
*Supply cover costs as a direct result of the pandemic.
Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary said: “The Government’s failure to invest in schools in the North East and across the country over the past decade is forcing school leaders to cut back on staff, support for pupils, and activities that enrich the school day.
"Itisclearthatschoolbudgets in the region remain under enormous pressure.
"The evidence is very clear. By 2023 school funding will stillbelowerinrealtermsthan it was in 2010.
"Given the additional demands on schools, including the challenge of responding to Covid-19, that is not a sustainable position and will lead to further cuts.
"Our research shows that already more than a third of school leaders in the North East are being forced to make cuts in 2020/21.”
“What we are seeing here is a combination of long-term underfunding and additional pressures by the pandemic.
"If the Government is serious about no child being left behind, it needs to provide schools with the resources they desperately need now.”