Worries have been raised that Reading schools could run out of money due to lack of funding from the Government.

Last month, it was reported that 13 education institutions had written to Conservative MPs urging them to keep their 2019 General Election pledge to restore school funding to 2010 levels.

Meanwhile, nine out of 10 schools will have run out of money by next year, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has warned.

These worries about education funding have been echoed in Reading.

Therefore, Rob White, Green Party councillor for Park ward, has asked Reading Borough Council to explain what it is doing to assist schools.

Cllr White asked: “Reports in the national press that 9 out of 10 schools will have run out of money by next year have worried many residents.

“Can the Lead Councillor for Education tell us what steps the Council is taking to ensure this does not happen, and that our schools, and our children’s education, are financially secure?”

READ MORE: Reading school street temporary closures made permanent

His question was answered by Ruth McEwan (Labour, Church) lead councillor for education and public health, who admitted that schools are facing worsening budget positions, in part because of small funding increases and pay increases for teaching staff.

Cllr McEwan said: “Finances nationally are under tremendous pressure.

“Schools are not exempt from this crisis as all state funded schools are financed via a national funding formula which is only increasing nationally by 1.9% for 2023-2024.

The impact of current inflation rates of 10.1% and the impending decision on Teachers pay that will be a minimum of 5% for 2022-2023, with the likely agreement of NJC pay scales that consist of teaching assistants getting a minimum of 10.5%, means that the situation is looking increasingly challenging both nationally and locally.

“As reported to Reading Schools Forum at its meeting on October 13, of Reading’s 34 community schools, 13 are currently showing a worsening budget position, with two new relatively small deficits.”

READ MORE: Reading council reveals 32 schools where they admit there's potentially dangerous asbestos

Cllr McEwan went on to explain what support the council is providing, much of which is conducted through Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) which runs children’s services in Reading.

Support available through BFfC includes:

  • Schools Resource Management programmes, which  provides best practice and reccommendations for schools on how they can get good financial value
  • A  Finance School Support Service, which provides advice, support, training, meetings and guidance notes for school leaders and business managers
  • Providing additional funds to schools, determined by  increased or decreased levels of pupils from October funding census.

The School Resource Advisor programmes have helped the majority of schools participating into a budgetary surplus.

Furthermore, the council provides assistance by:

  • Allowing schools to use its energy contract
  • Lobbying the Department of Education for a specific schools grant to pay for inflation for staff pay
  • Facilitationg communication between schools and the council’s Director for Education for those schools at risk of having a deficit, which involves a deficit recovery plan, to ensure that education for Reading children is not compromised by the financial challenges schools may face.

Information on the support available was revealed at a policy committee meeting on Monday, October 31.

Speaking after the meeting, cllr White said: “It is concerning that under the current pressure and shambles from the Conservative Government 13 out of Reading’s 34 community schools are showing worsening finances and two have deficits.

“Greens will keep up the pressure to make sure the council does everything it can to support our schools, teachers and children.”