Oldham schools face ‘devastating’ cuts as reserves are ‘wiped’

New projections by the School Cuts website, maintained by the National Education Union (NEU), shows that in Oldham 96 of 99 schools will face cuts next year, according to analysis that considers increasing staff salaries and other non-staffing costs.

The real terms cuts per pupil equates to £118 on average in Oldham compared to 2022-2023 levels and the amount needed to restore per pupil funding in real terms to its 2022-2023 level is a staggering £4.9m.

Across the UK, 90 per cent of schools with comparable data will have lower per pupil funding in real terms in 2023-2024, according to the website. 

At Blessed John Henry Newman Roman Catholic College in Chadderton the real terms cuts per pupil equates to £125 compared to 2022-2023 levels and the amount needed to restore per pupil funding in real terms to its 2022-2023 level is £188,473.

In response to the projected cuts, Glyn Potts, the headteacher at Newman RC College in Chadderton, said that if the government does not act now the school may be forced to review the curriculum.

Glyn Potts, the headteacher at Newman RC College (Image: Newman RC College)

He said: “We have seen hard-fought reserves, destined for the provision of students, wiped out since our return in September.

"As it stands, we will not be required to take drastic action until the next financial year, the like of which would be far-reaching and devastating to a community that suffered so greatly during the pandemic.

“It is a certainty that we will have to address our projected outturn budget and will need to make in-year savings to items that, while important, are not directly related to classroom provision.

"However, post that point, if the government do not act then we will be in a very tricky position with little choice but to review curriculum.”

Newman RC College is taking measures now to address the rising costs of utilities, food, and other elements impacted by inflation.

At Oldham’s Hathershaw College the real terms cuts per pupil equates to £81 compared to 2022-2023 levels and the amount needed to restore per pupil funding in real terms to its 2022-2023 level is £86,884.

The school’s principal Mark Giles has urged the government to prioritise education and warned that schools in more deprived areas will be the hardest hit.

He said: “The cuts are incredibly unfair to any school, but the more financially deprived an area, the harder they hit.

“We are financially secure this year following necessary action we had to take in previous years as we predicted the direction of travel, but each year is forecast to get more difficult.

“I fully understand that there isn’t an endless pot of money and times are difficult for everyone, but the government must prioritise education as the future of the country depends on it.

“It is really short-sighted to think that a real-term cut in budgets won’t affect children now and for many years to come if they don’t get the start in life they deserve.”

The headteacher said that staffing costs are the school’s “biggest financial commitment” and a “strain” on the budget, but that the school was committed to ensuring staff are paid competitively to recruit and retain the highest standard of staff.

The school, which has 44 per cent of students in receipt of Pupil Premium, also subsidises school trips.

Mr Giles said it was “ironic” that at time when Covid restrictions have eased schools are being forced to consider making cuts in this area.

The headteacher added a “further complication” was that the school also does not receive any additional funding to respond to maintenance costs associated with the school estate.

Principal at Hathershaw College, Mark Giles (Image: Hathershaw College)

One of the schools in Oldham facing the biggest projected cuts is The Oldham Academy North in Royton.

At The Oldham Academy North the real terms cuts per pupil equates to £278 compared to 2022-2023 levels and the amount needed to restore per pupil funding in real terms to its 2022-2023 level is £367,327.

A spokesperson for the E-ACT trust, which manages Oldham Academy North and Royton and Crompton Academy which is also facing cuts, said that being part of a trust meant the schools would be able to “weather” the difficulties brought by the “extremely challenging” financial environment more than stand-alone schools.

The spokesperson added that the trust is “determined” to protect pupils from the “impact of the current conditions” so that they continue to have the best possible education.

In response to the projected cuts, a Department for Education spokesperson said: “We understand the challenges facing schools driven by high inflation. To support them at this time, we are providing schools with £53.8bn this year in core funding, including a cash increase of £4bn for this financial year.

"This is a seven per cent per pupil increase in cash terms across schools and high needs.

“All schools will benefit from the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, reducing how much they need to spend on their energy and giving them greater certainty over their budgets over the winter months.

"We are also providing schools with tools and information to help get the best value for money from their resources.”