posts set to go

by MATTHEW NIXSON

education correspondent

Doomsday predictions of drastic job losses in the borough's secondary schools have come true.

Figures released this week show 48.8 posts will go by September after headteachers' warnings were ignored.

In March they predicted up to 50 job losses because Barnet Council's 2.4 per cent increase in spending meant one per cent less cash for schools.

The news comes on top of last week's revelation that Barnet had the lowest increase in education spending in the country.

'There is no cause for celebration because we were right,' said Hendon School headteacher Bob Lloyd.

'It reflects the perilous state of funding for secondary schools in Barnet.'

But Councillor Alison Moore, cabinet member for education, defended Barnet's record.

She said: 'Barnet schools continue to receive among the highest spending per pupil in the country and our agreed education budget has remained well above the amount recommended by the Government.'

Ms Moore put the number of redundancies at nine ,, but heads say this does not take account of posts remaining unfilled after teachers have left.

The council failed to pass on to schools a full 5.3 per cent increase in Government funding in this year's budget settlement.

Headteachers calculated a shortfall of £1,425,600 as a result of inflation. In March all 23 secondary heads took the unprecedented step of writing to councillors to raise their concerns.

The Barnet branch of the Secondary Heads Association, which conducted the job losses survey, said non-teaching posts had also been cut as well as books and equipment provision and building maintenance.

Tory councillors have tabled an education debate for next Thursday's council meeting.

'Barnet Council, through mismanagement of funds, has created an education crisis in schools,' said education spokesman Councillor Kevin Edson.

mnixson@london.newsquest.co.uk