Staff fears for schools during credit crunch (From Gazette Series)

Staff fears for schools during credit crunch

8:50am Wednesday 15th October 2008 in

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SCHOOLS in South Gloucestershire could be forced to cut staff to cope during the credit crunch, a new survey has revealed.

Headteachers and school bursars are having to budget for rising fuel costs, a 20 percent increase in heating and escalating prices for building work.

The findings were compiled by Northavon MP Steve Webb, who wrote to all schools in his constituency asking what impact the rising cost of living was having.

Six secondary schools and more than 20 primary schools responded all admitting they are struggling in the current financial crisis.

A number of headteachers said the crunch could even lead to job losses and several schools said they were using funds from parents' associations to pay for school trips and books for their libraries.

Mr Webb said: "It is clear from my survey that local schools are very anxious about the financial position over the next few years.

"Quite rightly, schools already have to watch every penny and cut out unnecessary expenditure, but there is a danger that more schools will have to cut staffing levels over the next few years unless the funding situation improves.

"Once again, we are seeing the impact of a funding level that is lower than almost anywhere else in the country."

A spokeswoman for South Gloucestershire Council said: "Historically, South Gloucestershire Council has been amongst the poorest funded local authorities, which is why the council is a member of the f40 group which is tackling the government over its education funding policy.

"In spite of the low level of funding the attainment of South Gloucestershire pupils at primary schools is in the top 25 percent of the country. Secondary school results at Key Stage 3 are well above the national average and a number of our secondary schools are among the highest performing state schools in the country for GCSE and A-Level.

"We look forward to receiving the results of this survey and will continue to support our schools through this difficult period."