Budgets audit vital, warn heads amid school cash fears

ANATIONAL audit of school budgets is urgently needed in Wales with head teachers warning “we simply don’t know if there’s enough money in the school system”, it has been warned.

And they say some schools still don’t know what is required of them in planning for Wales’ new curriculum, which must be adequately funded to succeed.

The National Association of Head Teachers Cymru has issued the warnings ahead of its national conference today and tomorrow.

Calling for a fairer national system of school funding, school leaders said it was hard to know what was happening with 22 separate local education authorities across Wales making varying decisions on spending.

The NAHT Cymru warning comes after the Association of School and Colleges Leaders last week warned that “most schools in Wales are struggling to make ends meet”.

ASCL Cymru described the £170m announced by Education Secretary Kirsty Williams for schools for the next two years as “a drop in the ocean”.

Gathering for its conference in Cardigan today, the NAHT Cymru warned: “More clarity on funding is vital to ensure high standards in education”.

NAHT Cymru Vice-President Dean Taylor said: “It’s now time for an honest, open and mature debate about school budgets in Wales. School leaders simply don’t know if there’s enough money in the school system.

“A national audit is required and we need to see an approach to school funding that is more equitable and transparent.”

Ahead of Education Secretary Kirsty Williams addressing the conference tomorrow Rob Williams, NAHT Cymru policy director, said: “We’ll be waiting to hear about the Welsh Government’s funding commitments for the long term.”

As part of its campaign “School Funding in Crisis”, the NAHT Cymru is warning: “School leaders in Wales are facing a level of education reform not seen in the principality for over 70 years.

“There is great ambition in the Welsh education sector. However, schools are unable to deliver without adequate resourcing.

“This academic year the Welsh education budget has decreased from £1.75bn in 2016-17 to £1.6bn. Couple this with rising costs in school expenditure and it is clear that schools in Wales are in desperate need of more funding.

“But funding itself isn’t enough. NAHT Cymru are calling for a national approach to a full and fair allocation of money in schools. At present, there are 22 local authorities with 22 different funding formulae and very few common features.”

NAHT Cymru will also be calling on the Welsh Government for “clearly defined plans” for the new curriculum.

Damon McGarvie, new NAHT Cymru president 2017, is expected to tell delegates: “The Welsh Government now needs to ensure that every school is directly involved in working towards the roll-out of the new arrangements. Communication to all schools is key and a cohesive, clear message is required.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We continue to have open and honest discussions with all key stakeholders, including NAHT, about matters such as school funding.

“We will ensure that all schools are ready for the rollout of the new curriculum, with arrangements available for schools to feedback, test and refine in Easter 2019. Following that period, all schools will have access to the final curriculum from 2020, allowing them to get fully ready and prepared for statutory roll-out in September 2022.”