Our welsh local authority and other local authorities have been sending out the same letter to parents which I’ll copy and paste. I’m so worried for the futures of our children. I’m wondering if the situation is worse or as bad in other areas of the UK? It is particularly worrying for any children with additional learning needs. AIBU to be angry, gutted and worried about this?
XXX is my county. As far as I’m aware many counties in Wales are sending out the same letter
Dear Parents and Carers,
Budget Cuts - The Impact on our Schools
The XXX Headteachers' Federation is an organisation representing all the headteachers in secondary, primary and special schools in XXX. Members are appointed by their local cluster of schools to represent the views of headteachers in discussions with the council.
As you may be aware, public services in Wales are facing significant financial pressures currently. Having consulted with colleagues, we are writing to ensure that all parents and carers are fully informed of the significant consequences currently facing schools in relation to our budgets and the potential impact on the services we will be able to provide.
In order to set a balanced budget, the Local Authority has had to make difficult decisions to cut spending across a range of its services. This includes education and specifically the amount of money that is available for schools. In this coming financial year beginning on April 1st, there will be a reduction in funding for our schools. This will present significant challenges and place every school, primary, secondary and special in a very difficult budgetary position.
Inflation, energy costs and increased staffing costs, have resulted in a considerable impact on local government spending. There has been a slight increase in the Welsh educational budget, but the extremely high rate of inflation has meant a considerable cut in real terms. Of greatest concern to headteachers and governing bodies is the impact this will have on learners across XXX
These are unprecedented times as regards school finances and budgets, and despite the best efforts of Governing Bodies and LA Officers we are worried about the likely impact which potentially could include:
• redundancies causing a reduction in staffing
• larger classes
• fewer trips and extra-curricular activities
• reduced support for pupils with additional needs
• less support for pupils needing extra help with literacy and maths interventions
• less support for pupils who need wellbeing interventions
• less support for pupils with behavioural difficulties, leading to more
disruption and exclusions
• less support for pupils with complex needs in mainstream schools
• fewer resources for pupils to use
• reductions in courses, qualifications and the curriculum schools can offer
• repairs and upkeep of school buildings will suffer
• general health and safety in schools
• negative judgements from Estyn as a result of reduced services
As headteachers, we want to assure our families that we will always do our utmost to maintain the core provision in our schools, protecting teaching and learning by placing our learners and staff at the heart of everything we do. However, we believe headteachers and governors will have to make a choice between providing the current level of service or balancing the books. Therefore, it is inevitable that in many cases, schools will not be able to provide and sustain the same level of support and services due to the significant shortfall in our funding.
If this happens in your school over the next year, we would ask you please to remember that much of this will be completely out of the control of your headteacher and governors, but part of a much wider financial issue.
As headteachers we are grateful for the ongoing support from XXX's education and other county officers in helping us to navigate our way through this situation. However, your support and understanding during these challenging times will be invaluable. We have made representations locally and nationally to councillors and members of the Senedd and we will continue to do this.
This letter has been written in consultation with all headteachers in XXX and your local headteacher will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have. However, please be aware that we are all at an early stage of the budget planning process and we may not yet be able to answer some individual questions.
Yours faithfully,
XXX Headteachers’ Federation