Warning 200 jobs will have been lost in schools

Up to 200 jobs will have been lost in schools in Norfolk by the end of the academic year, unions have warned.

The GMB and National Education Union (NEU) said changes to funding by Norfolk County Council for special educational needs and disabilities (Send) pupils had led to cuts to support staff, such as teaching assistants.

"We're already short-staffed," said the GMB's regional organiser Ashley Foster – who added there had been "a massive impact" on Send children.

The council said while it was changing how schools received funding known as "Element 3", it had increased its budget from "£9m to £35m over the past five years".

The money is used alongside other Send funding to pay for extra support for higher-needs pupils.

The authority said it had worked with education leaders on changes and was calling for government reform of funding for schools.

Last year, when the council announced plans for changes, academy trusts warned jobs would be lost.

"It's been a sad prophecy that came true, unfortunately," said Scott Lyons from the NEU.

"There's been at least 37 schools this academic year affected by cuts."

The GMB's Mr Foster said up to 1,000 jobs across were currently at risk among support staff – including teaching assistants, mealtime supervisors and caretakers – with 200 likely to have been lost when term ends next month:

"It has a massive impact on Send children," he said.

"However, one of the concerns is that with less support for Send children, there's less time other children are going to get in a classroom to really thrive and develop."

Last November, Wymondham High Academy said two of its assistant head teachers would be leaving because of a "sudden and unexpected change to funding" from the council.

In response, pupils started a petition which they said had been backed by children from other schools - also concerned about job losses - and had received 700 signatures.

"We find it quite upsetting that we've had to lose these members of our community," said 16-year-old Arlo.

"When we see the council taking away funding from that support, it's horrible really; It's almost like they don't seem to care," added George, also 16.

But Jonathan Rice, executive head teacher of Caister Primary Federation, said there were "lots of different pressures on school finances – Element 3 is just one of them".

Mr Rice, who is a committee member of the Norfolk School Leaders Association, said the government had not provided funding for teacher pay rises or increased national insurance costs.

"What we've also faced is a much increased demand on our resources – [with] many more children presenting with special educational needs," he added.

Penny Carpenter, Norfolk County Council's Conservative cabinet member for children's services, said she recognised "the financial pressures schools face".

"From national funding shortfalls to inflation and falling pupil numbers— we're actively lobbying government for urgent Send reform and sustainable funding for all children."

She also said the council's Local First Inclusion programme was providing schools with extra support to meet higher needs.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said the government had "government inherited a SEND system left on its knees" and was "paving the way for wide-ranging reform".

"We are already taking the first steps, including more early intervention across speech and language, ADHD and autism to prevent needs from escalating and £740 million to encourage councils to create more specialist places in mainstream schools," she added.

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