Wrexham Council faces significant challenges regarding its education budget, as councillors convened to address the mounting financial pressures on local schools. Members of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee received direct testimonies from head teachers and governors, highlighting the urgent need for a sustainable funding strategy. The meeting underscored the warning that if redundancy costs are placed on schools already struggling to maintain staffing levels, a negative cycle of debt may ensue.
During the session, chair Cllr Carrie Harper expressed her concerns about recent statements from council leadership, particularly a comment made by the deputy leader suggesting that “there is only a crisis if the schools make it into a crisis.” Cllr Harper asserted that with 31 schools projected to enter licensed deficit, the reality reflects a serious financial crisis. She noted, “The bottom line is that schools just haven’t got enough money,” and emphasized the need for collaboration between the council and educational institutions.
Cllr Harper pointed out that over 100 staff members have already been lost, and she anticipates this number will rise. With class sizes potentially increasing to 30 or even 38 students, the situation is becoming increasingly dire. She urged council leadership to reconsider their approach to public communication regarding these challenges, stressing the importance of supporting schools rather than shifting blame.
In response, Cllr Phil Wynn, the Lead Member for Education, acknowledged the ongoing difficulties but affirmed his commitment to working with schools. He remarked, “Unfortunately, finances in the public sector are consuming everybody’s time,” and acknowledged that Wrexham is not uniquely affected, as similar issues are present across local authorities in Wales. Cllr Wynn highlighted the need for increased funding to support schools, stating, “The crucial thing is, we just need more money going in to actually help our schools.”
The meeting also addressed demographic changes impacting funding. Cllr Wynn noted that a decline in student numbers could allow for reallocation of resources within the school budget. Despite this potential for adjustment, the overarching issue remains a lack of adequate funding.
Head teachers echoed these sentiments. Chris Wilkinson, head teacher at St Joseph’s School, stressed the insufficient funds available to meet educational needs, stating, “I’ve been a head for almost 10 years, and that’s been 10 years of managing decline.” He explained that the high percentage of school budgets dedicated to staffing costs often forces schools to make difficult decisions regarding personnel. “The only way to balance a budget is largely… to remove staff from school,” he added, warning that this approach exacerbates financial instability.
Adding to Wilkinson’s comments, Simon Ellis, head teacher at Ysgol Clywedog, highlighted the emotional toll of these decisions on staff and students. He requested that councillors consider the personal impacts of budget cuts on educational leadership and the wellbeing of head teachers facing immense pressure.
Councillors also raised questions about specific schools facing alarming projected deficits, including Darland School with a closing balance of -£1,183,812, and The Maelor School at -£764,903. Cllr Wynn acknowledged these figures but refrained from discussing individual school issues publicly, emphasizing a strategic overview instead.
Further discussions revealed growing concerns over reliance on supply teachers, particularly those sourced from private agencies. Wilkinson reported a significant reduction in the use of supply staff—down by 80%—thanks to employing internal cover supervisors. This strategy helps maintain stability in classrooms and reduces costs, but long-term solutions are still necessary.
Parent and governor Sam Regan articulated the frustration of many stakeholders, stating that schools are not meeting the practical needs of students, particularly regarding Individual Development Plans and Additional Learning Needs. He emphasized that budget deficits are compounded by unexpected costs, including those associated with redundancy.
The committee also examined the responsibility for redundancy costs, with some members voicing concerns over discrepancies in communication from the council. Cllr Anthony Wedlake recounted assurances made during previous meetings that redundancy costs would be fully covered by the local authority, only to find that his school faced an unexpected shortfall. This inconsistency led to calls for a thorough review of communication protocols surrounding budgetary issues.
Cllr Wynn acknowledged the need for clearer messaging from the council and committed to addressing any miscommunication. He stated that the ongoing financial crisis in education requires immediate attention and that the council must work diligently to secure additional funding.
The committee plans to revisit the topic in future meetings, with an emphasis on improving transparency and addressing the challenges faced by schools in Wrexham. As the situation develops, stakeholders remain hopeful that a collaborative approach will yield solutions to the pressing financial issues affecting education in the area.
