Calderdale campaigners back calls for more school funding after cuts
Calls to restore school funding to 2010 levels in real terms have been backed by Calderdale education campaigners.
A report released by the Stop School Cuts coalition – which is led by unions Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), the National Education Union (NEU) and NAHT – argues a generation of students have known nothing but cuts.
It claims English schools lost £300m in the last year alone, as funding failed to keep pace with costs.
Nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of schools have less real terms funding than in 2010, says the paper.
It found 278 local authorities have less funding in real terms over the 16-year period, including Bradford being 11 per cent down.
Commenting on the report, Sue McMahon from Calderdale Against School Cuts, said schools have taken many financial hits whilst costs pressures on school budgets have increased.
“Inflation, rising food and fuel prices, the partially funded staff pay award, pension and national insurance increases have already impacted on heavily on our schools,” she said.
“Poverty in communities is placing further pressure on families who are trapped in hardship, schools are having to make a significant contribution to provide essential services to meet the gaps in health and care needs – supporting families who are struggling with mental health, or the basics of daily life.”
Ms McMahon said the current funding levels do not address historic underfunding.
“They merely contribute to more staff leaving the profession and thus not enabling children’s progress,” she warned.
“We will be seeing schools at the heart of our communities facing tough decisions, those most at risk will slip through the gap.”