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To: Government

Education funding crisis

Increase funding to schools

Why is this important?

Due to government cuts and unfunded costs to schools. There is a crisis in schools funding. See below
Will you help protect your child’s education?

Schools are having to make cuts to staffing and resources. This is because schools’ budgets have been cut by 8 – 10% in real terms over the last few years as unfunded pay rises, increased pension and NI costs and “taxes” such as the Apprenticeship Levy have meant schools have less money. This means cuts in other areas of the school to fund these extra costs.

The future looks bleak. Next year sees more expenses for schools. Inflation is increasing too. Local Authority cuts means that schools are expected to do more with less. Schools haven’t had an increase to help with extra costs for a number of years. In Sutton, the Local Authority is proposing to cut basic school funding next year to help meet other costs especially higher costs for students with high needs.. We are close to crisis.

Schools will have fewer teachers, larger classes, less choice, less support for students and families, fewer opportunities, trips or co-curricular activities. In some areas of the country, schools are already cutting school hours. Others are suggesting a four day week to reduce staffing demand and utility bills.

Headteachers are not known for their militancy. However this information, sent to all parents of secondary age children in the London Borough of Sutton, is a cry for help. We need you to help us signal to local and central government that school funding is in crisis. They are not listening to us and we hope they might instead listen to you.

• Schools will no longer be hit with unfunded increases in staffing costs
• Lobby for an exemption from the Apprenticeship Levy
2. If you feel strongly against the proposed cuts by Sutton Local Authority

Funding Cuts in the News
• National Audit Office assessment https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Financial-sustainability-of-schools.pdf
• How my school is losing the battle with funding cuts https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/how-my-school-losing-battle-funding-cuts
• Cash strapped schools consider four day week https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/oct/03/cash-strapped-schools-consider-introducing-four-day-week
• Heads Warn of ‘extremely bleak’ funding problems http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-38557843
• West Sussex Governors Threaten Strike http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/

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Updates

2017-02-13 13:11:15 +0000

10 signatures reached