Teaching staff cuts affect half of employees

The survey recorded the response of over 400 NUT representatives and found that 67 per cent have seen or expect to see reduced funds for books and resources in their schools. A further 74 per cent of teaching staff claim they have already heard head teachers express concern over funding, while 59 per cent are implementing or due to introduce bigger class sizes to accommodate funding cuts.

In addition, the data shows 57 per cent of respondents reported cuts in classroom-related support staff posts.

The research also noted that job losses are more due to natural wastage, non-filling of vacancies and voluntary measures, as opposed to compulsory redundancies.

The figures outlined that 45 per cent of respondents claimed teachers are more likely to contribute financially towards providing classroom resources than previously, while 21 per cent maintain funding cuts will lead to fewer activities available to pupils.

Recently, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned staff that schools were due to face the first real-term cuts since the 1990s, with cuts of up to eight per cent in the next Parliament.

National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) general secretary Russell Hobby wrote an open letter to Education Secretary Nicky Morgan, expressing concern over funding cuts, ahead of the government’s Spending Review. It said: "For too long, education has been seen as a cost; in fact, education is an investment, in both children and society as a whole.

“We would urge you, in conversations with Chancellor George Osborne, to call for progressive funding arrangements for education. It’s time that funding reflects the true realities on the ground; something our members call for on a daily basis."
Christine Blower, general secretary of the NUT, said: “The government is failing in its duty to provide children and young people in England with an education that is properly funded and gives all children the start in life they deserve.

“Parents and carers will be utterly dismayed to see the impact government funding policy is having on their children’s education and their future prospects.

“On top of this, the government is planning a review that will increase funding in some areas of the country simply by taking it from other areas of the country, not by providing the increased funding that some parts of the country sorely need.

“Government ministers and MPs generally all need to take note of the consequences of the decisions they are taking on education funding. Unless there is a change of direction, the government will be failing this generation of students.”

A spokesman for the Department for Education responded to the NUT survey: “This government is taking the difficult decisions necessary to ensure that the schools budget is protected and will continue to rise as pupil numbers increase. This is a key part of our commitment to extending opportunity and delivering educational excellence everywhere."

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