Revealed: the worst-hit schools as spending freezes amplify ‘privilege gap’

Headteacher Claire struggles with school cuts and says not enough is being doneSource: National Education Union

Transcript

00:00So I think the message they're giving to the public, this is fully funded, that's fully funded,

00:04when you actually break it down and look in reality it's not true.

00:07Capital budget is so small and such a small part of our overall budget that

00:13when we've got large projects that need doing, so for example our early years outdoor area

00:17is really at end of life and pretty dilapidated and we can't afford to do anything about it.

00:23We don't have a caretaker anymore, we used to have a full-time caretaker,

00:26we then had to reduce the caretaker's hours due to our budget

00:29and then we had to reduce again but the caretaker actually decided to have their notice in,

00:35found another job and we couldn't afford to replace.

00:38So now we just have a variety of different people picking up the job.

00:42So we have to prioritise the safety of the building which we do,

00:45then we have to prioritise making sure children are safe

00:48and that their special educational needs are being met

00:51and then we look to what we can afford which after everything is spent it's not very much,

00:57it just feels like there's absolutely nothing left and we are scrabbling for resources now.

01:02You know we have to really think carefully before we order anything, before we can do anything

01:09and I just think it's just a really hard place to be and work in right now

01:14and I'm a bit fed up with it as are my colleagues.

01:17Even despite all that you're still in teaching?

01:20I'm still here!

01:22What keeps you here?

01:23The children keep me here, I love the children, I love supporting the families,

01:28I love this community, I've been in it for 11 years,

01:31it's really important to me and if I know I can make a difference I'll carry on.