School news in Calderdale: Warning over 'dire' school funding situation and SEND crisis in Calderdale's schools

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Calderdale education campaigners are calling for more investment to solve a “dire” funding crisis in schools.

Calderdale Against School Cuts (CASC) has carried out a survey of the area’s headteachers which it says shows there is a severe need of more cash.

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Among responses received from headteachers was a comment from one that described the current financial situation as “dire”.

CASC said it contacted headteachers at 84 Calderdale schools, with 55 per cent responding.

Schools are in crisis, say campaignersSchools are in crisis, say campaigners
Schools are in crisis, say campaigners

As the new Government’s first budget approaches, the campaigners are calling on the Chancellor Rachel Reeves to invest in children, said spokesperson Sue McMahon.

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“The school funding crisis hasn’t disappeared and hardship isn’t on hold,” she said.

“It is not rocket science, schools and their communities need investment if they are able to make a tangible difference.”

She said schools were facing a “perfect storm” of school roll numbers falling due to a declining population but costs rising, and funding had not kept up with the increases.

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Schools were often left supporting pupils and families to combat poverty amid a cost of living crisis, with parents and carers often also turning to them for help, advice and support, she said.

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Ms McMahon said of the 55 per cent of headteachers responding to the survey, 96 per cent had concerns about balancing their school budget in the next three years and 83 per cent said they would have to cut back further on building maintenance and repairs.

Eighty per cent of responders said they would not have the funding to replace staff leaving, if things do not change, and 48 per cent felt they would have to make support staff redundant.

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Thirty seven per cent of those responding said they planned to make teachers redundant this year.

Other areas they identified where savings might have to be made include amalgamating classes, affordability of supply teachers, classroom resources including exercise books, kitchen, cleaning and administration staff cuts and cuts to swimming provision.

Rising special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) demand was impacting on planning was the biggest challenge, some said in comments.

One commented to CASC: “The most significant area of concern is the amount of additional resource that we are having to commit to SEND.”

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