Dorset Headteachers say cost of living crisis is taking its toll on schools
Local schools may soon see increased class sizes and less popular subjects cut
Last updated 15th Nov 2022
Dorset Headteachers are warning that money-saving measures will be taken in schools as the cost-of-living crisis continues.
They are saying pupils and parents could be seeing increased class sizes and less popular subjects cut to save money.
Nick Rutherford is the Headteacher at The Thomas Hardye School.
He says that in previous years, he has managed to balance the books with his school's yearly budget, but because of the cost-of-living crisis, his school is now half a million pounds in deficit.
He told us: "Suddenly I've gone for being at a very tight but balanced budget to being half a million pounds in deficit.
"So, I need to make the school much cheaper to run next year.
"Class sizes will go up and we're an upper school who are proud to offer a wide-range of subjects.
"But we have to start looking now at these and make the tough decisions that we cannot afford a class of 5 or a class of 3.
Mr Rutherford also told us that the cost of living is also putting more pressure on schools, who are having to step in and do the work of social services.
He says: "Without these networks of services around a vulnerable child functioning properly, it all falls on the school and we find ourselves having to do everything- not just educate but keep safe and provide emotional and social care.
"And we're at breaking point - we're soon going to have to stop doing some of these things - the consequences of which are going to be catastrophic."