CREDIT: This story was first seen in The Coventry Telegraph
A Coventry teachers’ union has warned that city schools are facing the biggest cuts in a generation as one Warwickshire school told how it may have to buy fewer books, The Coventry Telegraph reports.
Jane Nellist, secretary of Coventry NUT, said schools in Coventry are facing more than £29m worth of cuts under the National Funding Formula.
She said this will mean cuts to staff, resources and class sizes rising and she called on parents to join the union’s anti-cuts demo in Broadgate on Tuesday 16.
Meanwhile Telford Infant School, in Leamington Spa, wrote to parents warning them it may have to buy fewer pencils and books because of rising costs and a frozen budget.
The letter states: “Our school budget is under a huge strain and despite careful financial management over the years we are now facing a significant budget deficit over the next three years.
“You may have read the government’s statement that spending on schools is at record levels, but this does not take into account rising pupil numbers, inflation and running costs.”
The letter was signed by headteacher Sian Oustayiannis and the chairman of governors Colin Talbot who warned the school was “not alone”.
They said: “We will work hard to do whatever we can to limit the worst effects of the cuts and try our very hardest to minimise the impact on learning and the provision we are so proud of at Telford Infant School.
“However, rising costs and a frozen budget mean that there will have to be changes.
“We are not alone. All schools in our local area are facing similar financial cuts, some much harsher than ours.”
Jane Nellist said: “We are calling on parents and the local community to join us in Broadgate on Tuesday May 16 at 4.30pm to stand up for our schools and say no to cuts and to vote for education.
“These cuts will mean fewer teachers, larger class sizes, fewer subject choices and less after-school activities.
“Please join us and together, let’s fight for the education that our children deserve.”
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