Shropshire headteacher calls for meeting over funding crisis
The chairman of a headteachers’ forum is calling for a meeting with the Education Secretary over funding.
Sue Lovecy, headteacher of St Martins School near Oswestry and chairman of the North Shropshire Secondary Heads forum, has warned that a funding crisis will be felt by teachers, young people and their families for years to come.
Over the last decade, the government and local authority has slowly withdrawn vital money which has left a gap in many schools’ budget.
Ms Lovecy said schools across the county are forced to fill gaps in underfunded services such as mental health support and policing, and have to find money to fund nationally agreed pay rises and increased pension contributions for staff.
Complex issues
She has warned any pay awards next year that are not funded by the government will force North Shropshire schools into crisis.
She said: “While the new funding formula announced by government has increased my budget this year by £18,000, I have now had to meet a pay award for teachers and support staff and pensions bills of £60,000 – this money has to come from somewhere.
“This would be the biggest real-term fall in school spending per pupil for 30 years.
“My colleagues are finding that they are being called upon to deal with matters that were once the remit of other services.
“This means that existing staffing is being stretched dealing with complex issues that often require expert interventions.
"The effect this is having on our young people and their families will be felt for years to come.”
The North Shropshire Secondary Heads forum meets each term and represents St Martins School, Corbet School, The Marches School, Sir John Talbot’s, Lakelands Academy, North Shropshire College and the Grove.
Members recently met with North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson to discuss their concerns and are now pressing for a meeting with Secretary for Education Damian Hinds.
Last week headteacher of Corbet School, Philip Adams, said the number of permanent exclusions at secondary level has doubled in some schools because there is no money to pay for welfare services.
