Lack of school funding has caused thousands of job cuts, survey finds

According to a poll of 707 head teachers, schools will have lost five members of staff each, on average by September.

The survey, which was co-ordinated by WorthLess West Sussex - a campaign group opposing funding cuts - found that thousands of teaching posts, teaching assistants and administrative posts have been lost from schools across the country because of funding cuts.

The findings show that 3,629 roles have so far been lost at 707 schools – a loss of five positions per school, on average.

The poll concludes that by September 2017, schools will have lost 1,161 teaching posts, 1,595 teaching assistants, and 873 administrative posts.

Jules White, headteacher of Tanbridge House School in West Sussex, who co-ordinated the survey, said: “It is clear that devastating cuts to staffing and educational provision are occurring in thousands of schools across the country.

“In turn, children’s educational opportunities are being blighted by the loss of thousands of teaching and teaching support posts.