CHESHIRE West and Chester Council is seeking urgent clarification from the Government over funding for sixth form education.
Sixteen West Cheshire secondary schools with sixth forms face cuts totalling £620,000 for the current year after the Learning Skills Council changed its distribution methodology.
ButŠWhitehall’s announcement referred to funding for 54,000 extra places in sixth form education, bringing hope of possible cash to ease concerns in local schools.
Councillor Arthur Harada, executive member for children’sŠservices,Šsaid: “The current shortfall poses a serious threat to the planning of sixth form education in Cheshire.
“Our headteachers are worried the loss of this cash – at short notice – will mean cuts to staff and the curriculum – particularly in specialist subjects like some foreign languages.
“To help heads plan for Šthe future we are contacting the Learning Skills Council to discover Šwhether the latest announcement is going to help improve the financial situation.”
The 3.71% shortfall in sixth form budget grants averaged £25,000Šand ranged from almost £70,000 at the top end of the scale to a minimum lossŠofŠ£6,000.
