School governors and headteachers are claiming the council's proposed standstill on education funding will contribute to cuts in vital services and a deepening of a current recruitment crisis.

Representatives from the borough's education community issued the stark warning to members of the strategy committee on Monday night.

Their comments were heard after the deadline for public responses to the council's budget consultation document which included a proposal to withhold £500,000 of education money passed earlier the same day.

Speaking on behalf of Sutton's primary and secondary schools, Denise Birkett, headteacher at Camden Junior School, said they were already facing a potential shortfall of around £1.3million from their budgets for this year.

"In reality, school budgets will be seeing a shortfall of more than £1million, which is as a result of the removal of four standards funds," she said.

She added the axing of the standards funds Government money allocated for specific areas would affect school improvement, induction of newly-qualified teachers, performance management and threshold assessment and recruitment and retention funding.

"The recruitment and retention money is being taken away too early which means we will be heading further into crisis," she said.

"We are already losing a lot of people after three to five years' service, while those at the 50-plus point are thinking of moving into retirement."

Mrs Birkett cited the example of one headteacher who was forced to spend £16,000 last year advertising for new members of staff.

"We're struggling to fill vacancies, and not just fill them, but fill them appropriately. Sutton is a high house price area and we need to continue to make it an attractive place to work by offering better benefits."

Mrs Birkett also said the consultation document was "misleading" when it asked for a public response to whether or not education spending should be kept at the council's recommended level of £97.1million or increased by £500,000.

"This amount will barely maintain a standstill position and allow no growth at all," she said.

"The £500,000 or lack of it will still make a difference. We must ensure that all funding is passported to schools as expected by the DfES this week."

Brian Stevens, chair of the Association of Sutton Governors, told the meeting members of the borough's education community had met earlier this month to discuss their concerns.

Mr Stevens said while support had been given from teachers and governors to the "Fair Deal for Sutton" campaign which lobbied against plans to reduce Government grants to local authorities it was clear that "spending on education is not being maintained".

He added: "Schools are facing great pressures with their budgets. An increase in standards grant should not be used to offset the shortfall. It's not a standstill budget but a real cut of £1.3million."

January 30, 2003 10:00