A headteacher in Colchester has described the situation as "an absolute tragedy" after being forced to lay off staff due to energy bills that have risen by more than 300 percent. St John's Green Primary School in Colchester has been struggling to keep up with rising energy costs, with bills expected to quadruple next year. For now, the school's energy bills stand at £36,000. But the eye-watering energy costs are predicted to rise by £119,000 to £155,000 next year, leaving the headteacher no choice but to make cuts in staff.
Simon Billings, headteacher said "with huge regret and a heavy heart" that "it is an absolute tragedy and a horrible situation for our school to be in – it will have ramifications across every department."
He told the Daily Gazette: "We have always been conscious of the fact our funding is to provide education to our students but now I have less staff and I cannot provide the same services.
"Even having prudent financial management does not matter when you are facing these types of rising bills. Something has to give."
