Larger classes, fewer teachers, dilapidated buildings and safety concerns - these are some of the real impacts on children that "inadequate funding" to schools in Wales is having, governing bodies warn. In a stark and unusual public message they say school budgets are are at “crisis point”.
Governors are calling on the Welsh Government to “urgently review” the situation saying children’s education and safety is at risk with less staff, larger classes and a reduced curriculum. After months of similar comments from teachers, school leaders, unions and others governing bodies have come together to launch a petition to draw attention to what they say is a Wales-wide problem.
They say lack of money to schools is having a “grave” impact on pupils with “poorer teaching and learning, poorer buildings, safety concerns and staff burnout”. The petition launched by chairs of school governor associations throughout Wales already has more than 600 signatures less than 24 hours after launching. In response, the Welsh Government said it was prioritising education despite its budget being hit by inflation.
The governors' warning comes after the headteacher of one of Wales' most successful schools warned pupils were being "set up to fail" because there isn't enough cash. Patrick Brunnock, head of Cardiff's high-performing Corpus Christi High School, has had to cut 16 members of staff, specialist staff are being shed, and four subject choices, including music, have gone.
Schools are not generally permitted by local education authorities to operate with a deficit budget and must make cuts to remain in the black. But money is so tight with spiralling bills in the cost of living crisis - coupled with falling pupil numbers in some areas - that councils across Wales have had little choice but allow deficits to be posted.
