A HEADTEACHER says schools are being forced to neglect buildings and other assets due to funding pressures.

Simon Mason, headteacher of Honywood Community Science College, Coggeshall, signed a letter sent by schools in 17 different counties discussing funding pressures.

The letter states: “The independent Institute for Fiscal Studies recently stated that when rising student numbers and inflationary costs are taken into account, input of £4bn will still lead to a ‘real terms cut of 2.8 percent in per pupil funding between 2016 and 2022’.

“This represents a huge sum of money. The only way for our cash-starved schools to function effectively is for proper investment – capital, buildings and revenue – to be made into existing schools.”

The letter encouraged parents to write to MPs and ask for a review on schools funding.

Mr Mason said that the letter, whilst not written about Honywood specifically, outline the worries that they and other schools face at the moment.

He said: “The problem is across the whole sector. It is not a one school problem. We are obviously very concerned that we are not getting enough money.

“One of the things I think that needs to be spoken about more as an issue is the impact on the asset base this will have.

“Obviously as a school your priority is rightly on making sure that we have enough teachers to make the most of the kids’ education.

“The asset base gets neglected a bit and so things like bills get bigger. Every school at the moment is being forced to make serious changes to its funding.”

The Department for Education said schools’ budgets had been protected in real terms since 2010.

A spokesman said: “We recognise that schools are facing cost pressures and will continue to provide support to help them use their funding in cost effective ways.”