166 fewer teachers in Bedford by 2019, thanks to £62million funding cut

According to data collated by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers & Lecturers (ATL), the borough’s schools face a funding cut worth £6,188,810.

This will mean £265 less is spent for every pupil at a state school over the year.

The figures relate to proposed new funding formula which have been put forward by the government.

The NUT and ATL claim that 98 per cent of schools across the UK will lose out under the changes, leaving them with increased class sizes, loss of school staff, and cuts to extra-curricular activities and resources.

Cllr Henry Vann, said: “The national funding squeeze is putting real pressure on education budgets in schools and local authorities and the teaching and head teacher unions are absolutely right to raise this as a growing crisis.

“Central Government need to address this problem urgently.

“Lots of teachers do a wonderful job but we are seeing outstanding teachers falling out of love with the profession and leaving the education system due to the funding cuts.”