WORRIED headteachers across Stroud have spoken out about financial struggles they face amid a new campaign which claims funding per pupil is set to significantly fall next year.
Schools in the area face drastic funding cuts in real terms per pupil for the next academic year, according to data released by Stop School Cuts, which is supported by the National Education Union and the Association of School and College Leaders.
The data suggests that schools across the county face real terms cuts averaging £178 per pupil in the next academic year, starting in September 2024, compared to the current one.
For example, Stroud Valley Community School would face a per pupil cut of £194, while Stonehouse Park Juniors would face a cuts of £293 according to the data.
And behind the numbers, headteachers are now speaking out about their struggles, with one saying schools are 'just about surviving'.
Debbie Sleep, head at Stroud Valley Community School, said: "Already most schools are living hand to mouth, just about surviving, and being given increasing numbers of children with special educational needs but without sufficient funding to cover their teaching, we are very close to not coping.
"As usual, teachers and teaching assistants are going beyond their hours and pay scales to make sure our children get a good basic education.
"We cannot go on with this level of cuts."
Stonehouse Park head Lisa Jones, said: "We are seeing an increase in children needing additional support with the impact of lockdowns on our youngest children being very evident.
"Meeting this need with reduced funding is a massive challenge and often dependent on the goodwill and dedication of Stonehouse Park staff. "
Data from the schoolscut.org site which claims funding cuts in real terms per pupil for the next academic year
The following tables depict how much funding each infant, primary and secondary school are set to lose per pupils in real terms according to the data.
1. List of Infant and Primary Schools across the Stroud district and their potential funding cuts per pupil according to the data
3. The ten Infant and Primary Schools across the Stroud district with the smallest potential funding cuts per pupil according to the data
Dr Simon Opher, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Stroud, said: "The results of these cuts are shocking.
"Now schools that are already under pressure face even more funding cuts - our children deserve better."
Sarah Murphy, district and branch secretary of Gloucestershire National Education Union, said: "If you ask any headteacher, the additional funding allocated recently to cover the hard won pay rise for teachers goes nowhere near covering the costs facing schools during the current inflationary period.
"The reality is that the only way headteachers can manage real terms falling budgets is to cut their staff numbers."
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "This data is stark and the conclusion inescapable educational provision and standards are at risk because of the inadequacy of government funding."
Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie said: "I am always happy to work with heads and principals to push for more funding for our schools and further education colleges and I made representations to the Chancellor ahead of the spring budget earlier this year for increased school funding, something he then announced.
"If any headteacher is concerned about school funding then I hope they will get in contact with me.
"Nationally core schools funding will rise to its highest level in history - more than £59.6 billion in 2024-25.
"This is the highest ever level in real terms per pupil."
A Department for Education spokesperson added: "School funding is rising by over £3.9 billion this year compared to 2022-23.
"Nationally, school funding will reach the highest level in history, in real terms per pupil, by 2024-25.
"This includes an extra £9.3m for mainstream schools in Gloucestershire for 2024-25, an increase of 2 per cent per pupil compared to 2023-24, and an increase of 14.1 per cent per pupil compared to 2021-22.
"This takes the total funding to £476.5m."
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