Schools suffering from £330,000 cuts in Sandwell

The National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) has released data showing post-11 education in the borough is suffering from the deepest cuts in the Midlands.

The union’s figures show that compared to 2010, Sandwell secondary schools on average receive £331,952 less per year.

Primary schools have also seen cuts of £87,714.

Education bosses in the borough say schools are 'in crisis' as they make drastic cuts to balance their budgets.

Headteachers are now writing to 650,000 parents across the Midlands warning them of the lack of funding and the ‘difficult choices’ that are having to be made.

The letters are encouraging parents to sign a petition asking the government for increased school funding.

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children’s services, responding to the union’s warnings, said: “It is clear that funding for schools is in crisis.

“In Sandwell we have 120 schools educating over 58,000 children and every school has said that they are making drastic cuts to ensure their budgets balance.

“It is affecting primary and secondary schools.

“The House of Commons library’s own analysis shows that the Government’s real term spending on schools and colleges dropped from £95.6 billion in 2011-12 to £87.8 billion last year, a fall of £7.7 billion.

“At the same time the numbers of pupils in the education system is increasing and so education funding is simply not keeping pace with the pressures in the system.”

Alice Middleton, NAHT Dudley secretary, warned the cuts are hitting disadvantaged children most.

She said: “In reality, schools are facing increasing costs and reductions in support services, at the same time that changes to benefits are putting pressures on many of our most disadvantaged and vulnerable families.

“Despite relentless campaigning by headteachers across the Black Country, who have written directly to the Chancellor, held MP briefings, education summit meetings and meetings at Westminster, school funding has still been reduced in real terms and the Government is still not listening to the genuine concerns of school leaders, parents and governors.”

By George Makin - Local Democracy Reporter