SOUTHEND’S schools must stand united in the face of funding cuts says a governor of a comprehensive.

The borough’s four grammar schools face a funding crisis due to changes in government funding.

Southend High for Boys, Southend High for Girls, Westcliff High for Boys and Westcliff High for Girls have been forced to cut lessons and resources as costs spiral, with more than 4,000 people signing a paper and online petition supporting the grammar schools.

However, Anthony McGarel, chairman of governors at Chase High School and deputy principle of South Essex College, says the borough’s other schools also face major cuts.

He said: “I can confirm other comprehensive schools in Southend, who serve the local children face funding cuts of up to £850,000, significantly more than the grammars.

“The way it works the index of deprivation directs funding to pupils on free school meals as a pupil premium.

“The reason for additional funding is for pupils who are coming from a different background altogether.”

Mr McGarel added: “We should all stand united against funding reforms, rather than divide and rule by taking money from the deprived.”

Part of the funding each school receives from Whitehall is based on pupils’ social background, with schools teaching children from deprived homes getting more.

With 5 per cent of pupils from deprived backgrounds, Southend High for Boys receives £4,503 per pupil.

Westcliff High for Girls receives the lowest funding per pupil at £4,449 and Westcliff High for Boys receives £4,503 per pupil.

Southend High for Girls receives the most out of the grammar schools with £4,540 per pupil.

By contrast, Chase High School with 50.3 per cent of pupils receiving free school meals, receives £6,148 a pupil and Futures receives £6,748.

Mr McGarel said: “The funding formula uses the IDACI index on purpose to ensure money is directed towards those who require it.

“All schools are in a similar position and the costs are going up year on year for national insurance and pension contributions.

“It’s a case of all schools including the grammars working together. I don’t like this divide, it doesn’t sit comfortably.

“What we could end up with is for those schools that don’t need the pupil premium rather than redirecting it the Government will bring it down per pupil, that can easily happen, especially in times of austerity.

“There is no clear cut solution, but for me the answer is not taking it from the disadvantaged.”

SOUTHEND High School for Boys is struggling to balance the books with a £250,000 budget deficit.

The school has been forced to introduce cost-cutting measures, including reducing teaching time for sixth formers, increasing class sizes and rationing the use of facilities.

Dr Robin Bevan, headteacher at Southend High School for Boys, said: “The school stands fully alongside all the other Southend schools in recognising the funding changes that are emerging.

“We need to make clear what it is that makes it so different for grammars. The grammar schools face a particular problem as the lowest funded schools, any reduction takes them closer to break even and the point of viability.

“The view of the school is that funding for disadvantaged pupils is important and should be preserved.

“The difference is the relative amount. There are some schools who get £3,000 more per pupil than we do. Our view is the amount that would be dedicated to disadvantaged pupils should be between £1,000 and £1,500.”

Anthony McGarel, chairman of governors at Chase High, says one of the reasons some grammar schools are struggling is high teaching costs.

He said: “We also need to look at average teacher costs. At Chase we pay on average £33,000 a year, but at Southend High For Boys they pay on average £39,000 a year.”

Defending his teaching costs Dr Bevan said: “We use the same national pay scales as other Southend schools. We are good at retaining our teachers. That means most have at least ten years experiences and a higher salary.”