Unions launch interactive map to highlight ‘devastating’ effects of school funding plans

A new interactive map has been launched by the National Union of teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) to highlight the effects of proposed changes to school funding.

The map is available on schoolcuts.org.uk and allows users to search by postcode or school name, giving a breakdown of the impact funding cuts will have on individual schools.

The figures are based on calculations by the NUT and ATL, who have warned that schools with the most disadvantaged children are likely to face the biggest cuts when the government reallocates school funding.

According to the unions, the average real terms loss would be £96,481, or £401 per pupil, for primary schools and £290,228, or £365 per pupil, for secondaries. They have also cautioned that 92 per cent of schools in England could face budget cuts in real terms over the next four years and claim that no local authority area is likely to see a real terms funding increase for its schools and academies.

Kevin Courtney, general secretary, NUT, said: “No head teacher should be put in the position of increasing class sizes, leaving building repairs undone or cutting staff and resources simply to balance the books. Nor should any parent accept this for their child. We are one of the richest countries in the world. We can and we should be funding our schools properly.”

Mary Bousted, general secretary, ATL, said: “We urge the government to increase the overall funding for schools. If it just reallocates the existing budget many children will lose out, with some of the most deprived children being hit hardest. It is ill-conceived to think the formula for schools’ funding can be reformed alongside real terms cuts to the overall schools’ budget. No school should be forced to cope with a drop in funding that will jeopardise its ability to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum and recruit and retain staff. All children deserve a fair chance to succeed and should not suffer because schools are under-resourced by the Government and teachers over-worked.”