School funding cuts. I'm amazed there are still people who know nothing about them.
£3 billion of cuts is so big, it's somehow unbelievable. The school that my children go to faces cuts of almost £250,000 by 2019; the equivalent of eight teachers' salaries. For a two form entry primary school. Worse still, this isn't a local issue - 99% of pupils in England will be affected (check your school here).
I am hugely frustrated by those who deny these cuts and say that budgets have never been bigger, or that cuts are only in 'real terms'. They're excusing the deterioration of our children’s education.
These cuts are already affecting my children and all others who go to the school.
When my son started there was one teaching assistant per class. The following year there was one assistant per two classes -, and now there are even fewer, to the point that they have to be 'imaginative' about how to deploy them to classes. Schools shouldn't have to be imaginative about staffing; imagination is necessary in lesson planning and teaching, but not this. Music lessons have gone since they just can't be subsidised. Educational trips are all but gone. The school holds regular MUFTI days, in school cinema, even a sleepover - all to raise funds for basics they shouldn't have to fundraise for. You can see the cuts everywhere, like cancelling activities and events due to staffing shortages.
It's heart-breaking to watch your child's education slowly deteriorate. Education should be - and would be - improving, if funded properly. This is my children's only chance. They don't get to relive their school experience, and if these cuts go ahead it will be a bleak and depressing time for them, for their teachers and for a mum who just wants the best for her children.
Inadequate school funding is leading to reduced support and staff in my children's school. What will it do to yours?
Maybe they will reduce the number of teachers and increase class size? Perhaps they'll reduce the curriculum so they don't need specialist teachers? They may replace all teachers leaving with NQTs (Newly Qualified Teachers) on fixed contracts, then repeat on a yearly basis. Who can afford to recruit and retain experienced teachers with huge cuts on the horizon? Days of art, music and pottery will be gone. Creativity will be a distant memory and school trips barely in existence. At a time when mental health issues in children are rising, I can only see funding cuts compounding this issue.
Our children need a balanced experience to develop and grow. They need a broad and balanced curriculum, and to see an equal focus on the Arts as well as Maths, English and Science. They need the opportunity to explore who they are, what they want to do and be and see, to be confident, well-educated and well-rounded people. This does not come from a restricted curriculum, less support and a stripped-back education due to funding cuts.
The Fair Funding campaign is doing a great job spreading awareness. It's made me realise that I won't just watch this educational car crash, but will join thousands of other parents in fighting the cuts and insisting that education be funded properly.
I am helping to spread the word of this education crisis in Bristol as part of the 'Fair Funding for Schools – Bristol' campaign. I want to know that I have done as much as I can to stop this madness and secure my children a properly-funded education. I am their voice - and you are the voice of your children.
If nothing else inspires you to shout as loudly as you can that the cuts to education funding must stop, then your children and the children in your community should. Please sign the petitions, go to local meetings – or set your own up, join in the March against school budget cuts on Saturday 20th May and send a clear message that we will NOT accept it. Our children deserve better, and we, as their voices, will always fight for them.
The Bristol Fair Funding Meeting will take place at Parson St School on Tuesday May 16th.
Parents across the country are also joining together at protests, picnics and gatherings on the afternoon of Friday 26th May. Find out more at the Fair Funding for all website and Facebook page.