Funding crisis is building for the town's grammar schools

State schools in England face a squeeze on budgets in the next two years due to rising staffing costs despite a shake-up of the funding system, research by the Education Policy Institute suggests. However the government insists schools funding is at a record level of £40bn, rising to £42bn.

In response to announcements of extra funding for grammar schools by Government last week, Nick Law, head of the Robert Carre Trust, said: “Whilst the Government says it is protecting school budgets, the truth is that both Carre’s Grammar School and Kesteven and Sleaford High School are still receiving the same amount per student as three to four years ago, but costs are going up all the time – National Insurance contributions, pension contributions and National Living Wage to name a few.

“It is a shame the government has not addressed the issue of revenue funding which is leaving schools such as ours considering cuts, which will do nothing to benefit the young people of Sleaford. There are many schools in the country that are asking for contributions from parents to enable them to maintain the current standard of education, not just for trips and visits, but also for capitation and this is something our schools are now, with regret, having to consider.”

Mr Law said the new money is for free schools and new grammar schools, not existing grammar schools and could draw students and money away if new schools are set up. However, he praised new money available for refurbishment.