Parents protest against cuts to school funding

Dozens came together for Save Seaford Schools in Salts Recreation Ground in Seaford this morning to highlight the financial strain on schools in the town.

It comes after figures provided by the body School Cuts, backed by the National Union of Teachers (NUT), claim Seaford's schools are set to lose £778,635 in real terms by 2022 under current Government policies.

Teacher and mother-of-two Maree Rhodes who organised the NUT event said the cuts mean class sizes will get bigger with fewer staff and fewer resources.

She said: "We've got children in schools who need more support than they are getting, and the reason they are not getting is because schools do not have the funding.

"Our schools can’t manage with cuts to funding over the next five years - it will make every child suffer.

"We hope to build a momentum and raise awareness because I don't think people are aware how severe the cuts are going to be that are coming through."

Secondary academy school Seaford Head stands to lose £445,287 by 2022 - the biggest cut of any school in the town - according to the figures.

Parents with children at the school expressed grave concern.

Susie Hemsley, 50, of Seaford, who has a son at the school, said: "Tiers of teachers are disappearing from secondary schools - like heads of year and deputy-heads of year - so it means ordinary teachers are doing more work and have less time to plan decent lessons.

"And with special needs teaching assistants are being taken out so there are vulnerable children not receiving enough support.

"Education is the infrastructure we need to build a good future, as in15-20 years these are going to be the people who will be leading the country, so we need to educate them."

While the primary school with the biggest cut is Chyngton which stands to lose £127,579.

Prospective parliamentary candidates vying for incumbent Conservative MP Maria Caulfield’s Lewes seat said school funding was one of the biggest issues when they speak to voters on the doorstep.

Liberal democrat candidate Kelly-Marie Blundell said: "When I go canvassing they are concerned their children and grandchildren aren't getting the education they deserve."

The Lib Dems plan to raise capital gains tax and invest £6 billion a year into schools.

Ms Blundell added: "I think it is really disingenuous for Conservatives locally to say they support the teachers when they voted for those cuts through council and Parliament. People have the right to know that and to say 'hang we should not be taking money away from our children'."

Labour candidate Daniel Chapman said: "People are really concerned about the cuts to schools and how they affect children and their education going forward.

"Although the Torys say they are going to put money back into education, we don't know if they are going to waste it on grammar schools and divide children at the age of 11 or free schools where they are not needed.

"We are going to invest money in our existing school structures and ensure they help children from all backgrounds and abilities."

The Conservatives say they will increase overall schools budget by £4 billion by 2022, representing more than a real terms increase for every year of parliament.