Commenting on new research released 20 January by the School Cuts coalition (2), Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, said,
“How many generations have to be failed before things improve? Latest cuts show every LA in England having an average 1.2 per cent real terms per pupil cut. Thus, real terms per pupil funding will drop to the lowest levels seen for more than 15 years.
“The School Cuts site shows 77 per cent of Island schools have already faced cuts between 2010/11 and 2023/24.
“It shows, the vast majority of schools in England – 76% of primary and 94% of secondary schools – will not be able to afford their costs next year.”
Local picture
Mr Shreeve continued,
“How will the Isle of Wight fare? Next year the Island schools spending power will decrease again in real terms by 0.9 per cent. Hardly good news – £800,769 less spending in 2025-26.
“In December 2024, Government published the accounts of LA-maintained schools for the financial year 2023/24. One in seven schools are currently in deficit.
“Does the Island fare any better? A July Schools Forum report shows 9/41 – around one in five – Island maintained schools in deficit 2023-24. Moreover, 22/41 schools (over a half) were spending more money than they were receiving in that school year.”
He added,
“Even with potential primary school closures, schools’ costs are expected to rise by 3.4 per cent next year, with mainstream funding increasing by just 2.2 per cent. A £700 million gap.
“Redundancies and school closures always have unintended consequences, as does continued inadequate funding.
“Cuts harm pupils’ education; repeated cuts decimate learner opportunities. Constant cutting impacts negatively on behaviour in schools and society as a whole. It is pupils who will ultimately pay the price. An impact that will likely last a lifetime.”
