Lanesend Primary School in Cowes is to cut the number of teachers and increase class sizes owing to ‘significant financial challenges’, it has been announced. A consultation was launched at the tail end of last year which looked to restructure the school in light of growing costs and a decline in pupil numbers. Now, following that process, the decision has been made to move forward with job losses. In a letter to parents this week, headteacher Vicki Sutton said that as a result of changes to the staffing team, there will be fewer classes overall – Lanesend will primarily go from 3 classes in each year group with around 20 children to 2 classes with a maximum of 30 children. This is already the case for Reception and Year 1 classes and is common practice across other Island schools. The changes will come into effect from the new academic year in September 2024, with parents to be informed of the exact changes in June. Due to larger pupil numbers, Year 5 and Year 6 (the current Year 4 and Year 5) will continue to be 3 classes. Inflation – in particular energy expenses – has been blamed for the financial challenges faced, as well as a reduced budget due to the falling number of children on roll. Increased staffing costs have also made a significant impact. The school was left with a large deficit last year. Headteacher Vicki Sutton has said:
“Whilst we must reduce our staffing numbers, we have worked hard to ensure that we continue to maintain our high ratio of exceptional support staff and recognise the essential role that they play in supporting all of our children. This outstanding support will remain. However, we have had to make tough decisions across our school to make the savings needed and to ensure that the changes we make are sustainable. “We understand that this news may cause some apprehension. However, I want to assure you that the entire team at Lanesend Primary School remains resolutly committed to providing your children with wonderful, rich learning experiences which go beyond the national curriculum. With our outstanding teaching team, complemented by the invaluable and skilled support staff that make up Team Lanesend, I am confident that our children will thrive and excel. “Your ongoing support and cooperation are deeply appreciated as we navigate these changes together”.
It is said that the decision to restructure the teaching setup is entirely separate from the decision to join the Diocese of Chichester Academies Trust (DCAT) and restructuring would have still been necessary had the school remained a Single Academy Trust.
Because our utterly inept council haven’t got the guts to make the necessary cuts before an election. They are burning our money on wasted school places despite being told to make essential cuts to education for the benefit of the majority but they would rather waste our money than make a decision that would be unpopular with a tiny minority. Shame on them.
They are in a trust so they get nothing from the council why do you blame everything on councils and MPs when the blame is is on the people who run the schools. There were over 30 pupils in every class when I went to school and no teaching assistants but pupils still excelled and got good grades and went to University because they wanted to learn
I think the heading should be spelt ‘rein in’ from the reins which are used to guide and control a horse. You pull the reins in to slow or stop the animal.
Probably because there are too many little sh1ts with one to one assistants, many need a good smack but get special needs support, and no doubt the parents get additional benefits when on the ADHD register.
Thats good then how enriching for the future of our children..well done to all.Could’nt make this shit up
Why do you need teachers when there’s a lack of kids to teach! Very few new babies, so there’s the reason. Check out the birth rate figs with uk HSA.
Take off the shades and you will see a lot more.