Nantwich schools face axing one in four teachers under new funding plan

Primary schools in Nantwich may have to cut teaching staff by 25% if the Government’s national funding formula plan goes ahead.

And some may be forced to cut back to a four-day week.

These were the dire warnings issued at an extraordinary meeting held at Brine Leas School in Nantwich last night (February 13).

The new formula could see Cheshire East schools bottom of the UK league table for funding, with a cut of £9.3 million.

And Brine Leas headteacher Andrew Cliffe said the town’s schools will struggle to offer basic standard of education if funds are slashed under the proposals.

The stark warning to parents included bigger class sizes, a possible four-day week, cuts to school holidays, cuts to non-essential school trips, cuts to SEN support, fewer options in KS4 in secondary schools, and fewer updates to buildings and technology.

Cheshire East is currently one of the top performing boroughs in the country.

But Schools Minister Nick Gibb wants to save £1 billion in the education budget.

The Nantwich Education Partnership, which represents all schools in the town, are urging parents to sign a petition and have their say as part of a consultation.

A spokesperson for the NEP said: “We feel compelled to write to all our families to provide examples of how this proposed funding cut will have a significant detrimental effect on the provision of education across Nantwich for all of our children.

“Cheshire East has historically been one of the lowest funded local authorities in England.

“The current proposals will see children in our schools receiving £344 less per pupil when compared to the rest of the North West.

“Cheshire East will also continue to be underfunded compared to all similar authorities nationally, meaning our schools will not have sufficient funding to provide the basic minimum education for children across Nantwich.

“For example, schools will lose an average of 2.1% per pupil as a result of these proposals.”

“This will inevitably lead to schools being required to make significant adjustments including possible class size increases, teacher and teaching assistant cuts, a significant reduction in the amount of support we can provide for individuals and groups of pupils, and narrowing of curriculum options with subjects such as music and the arts being marginalised.

“These proposals are in contrast to the DFE’s aims and will increase inequalities across regions, meaning that children in our schools will not have the same opportunities as children in other similar schools and local areas.”

Nantwich parents can air their views on the consultation period before March 22 here:

This is available at https://consult.education.gov.uk/funding-policy-unit/high-needs-funding-reform-2/