SCHOOLS in Slough and Windsor will undergo millions of pounds worth of cuts under the government’s current budget plans, according to research conducted by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL).

The research, based on published school funding data for 2016/17 and 2014/15, shows that nationally 83 per cent of schools are worse off and the NUT predicts that number will rise further still.

Regional predictions based on the same figures show a bleak looking future for schools in both Slough and the Royal Borough.

According to NUT Website, schoolcuts.org.uk, the overall budget change by 2020 will be a cut of 11 per cent nationally which will result in a funding loss of £12,822,607 across the board to schools in Slough, meaning a reduction of £548 per pupil funding and the loss of 344 teachers. In Windsor and Maidenhead, there will be a cut of £3,560,625 funding, or £195 per pupil and the loss of 95 teachers.

Margery Thorogood, NUT member and secretary of Slough and District Trades Council, said: “In Slough, schools across the entire age range will be adversely affected.

“There are examples of infant schools’ budgets being cut by 14 per cent, of primary schools’ budgets by 13 per cent and of secondaries’ budgets by 15 per cent.

“In Windsor and Maidenhead, there are also some extreme examples; for example, a first school’s budget being cut by 13 per cent, two primary schools’ budgets by 11 per cent and a secondary school’s budget by seven per cent.”

“An Infant school in Slough suffering a cut in funding of 13 per cent will lose funding to the tune of £269,529, a reduction in pupil funding of £535 and the loss of 7 teachers. In Windsor and Maidenhead, a primary school suffering a cut in funding of 11 per cent will lose funding to the tune of £134,685, a reduction in pupil funding of £443 and the loss of 3 teachers. The impact of such cuts will be devastating.”

Kevin Courtney, general secretary of the NUT has urged the Government to change its funding strategy. He said: “The NUT has been warning that 92 per cent of schools will be worse off by the end of this Parliament if the Government does not change its funding plans.”

“Schools cannot continue to give the education children and parents expect and deserve unless additional funding is given.”

However, the Department of Education has labelled the figures ‘irresponsible’ and ‘unfair’.

A spokesperson said: “This is irresponsible scare mongering based on speculation. It’s unfair and confusing for parents, pupils and schools themselves.

“We are due to publish a new fairer funding formula, and as the NUT and ATL admit, their speculative figures do not take that into account.

“In reality the schools budget has been protected and in 2016-17 totals over £40billion, the highest ever on record.

“The government’s fairer funding proposals will ensure that areas with the highest need attract the most funding and end the historic unfairness in the system.”