Barnet heads warn against cuts
HEADTEACHERS IN the London borough of Barnet, which has the largest number of state-aided Jewish schools, have sounded the alarm about funding, warning that cuts could threaten the quality of education.
Susy Stone, the headteacher of Akiva Primary, urged parents to raise concerns with MPs about the financing of education in order to protect standards in schools.
In common with other Barnet heads, Mrs Stone has circulated an open letter from a heads’ representative group following their recent meeting with Schools Minister Nick
Gibb and Finchley and Golders Green MP Mike Freer.
While all Barnet schools were committed to “providing a world-class education for your children,” Mrs Stone wrote, “we are now concerned that current levels of funding are seriously threatening this high-quality provision.”
“We… hope that you will be able to support our endeavours in raising awareness of our concerns at every possible opportunity.
“In particular, we believe that contacting your local MP and raising your concern might have an impact.” Akiva’s finances, she added, “rely more than ever on voluntary donations from parents”.
In their open letter, Barnet headteachers said that rising costs of services meant there was “a real risk” they may not be able to maintain current standards.
Planned savings by the council had led to concerns about the sustainability of schools.
Increased pension and insurance costs along with pay rises for teachers had added to school budgets, the heads pointed out.
They also voiced concern about cuts to special-needs support, including therapy or inclusion services.
Schools have reported having to take various measures which include cutting staff, reducing the curriculum, increasing class sizes and not replacing equipment.
“It was clear… that schools have been working increasingly hard to plug gaps in funding but the situation has become unsustainable,” they said.
There were particular challenges for Barnet, they said. The high cost of living in the borough made it hard to attract staff.
We are concerned at the level of funding’