Headteacher Claire struggles with school cuts and says not enough is being doneSource: National Education Union
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00:00So I think the message they're giving to the public, this is fully funded, that's fully funded,
00:04when you actually break it down and look in reality it's not true.
00:07Capital budget is so small and such a small part of our overall budget that
00:13when we've got large projects that need doing, so for example our early years outdoor area
00:17is really at end of life and pretty dilapidated and we can't afford to do anything about it.
00:23We don't have a caretaker anymore, we used to have a full-time caretaker,
00:26we then had to reduce the caretaker's hours due to our budget
00:29and then we had to reduce again but the caretaker actually decided to have their notice in,
00:35found another job and we couldn't afford to replace.
00:38So now we just have a variety of different people picking up the job.
00:42So we have to prioritise the safety of the building which we do,
00:45then we have to prioritise making sure children are safe
00:48and that their special educational needs are being met
00:51and then we look to what we can afford which after everything is spent it's not very much,
00:57it just feels like there's absolutely nothing left and we are scrabbling for resources now.
01:02You know we have to really think carefully before we order anything, before we can do anything
01:09and I just think it's just a really hard place to be and work in right now
01:14and I'm a bit fed up with it as are my colleagues.
01:17Even despite all that you're still in teaching?
01:20I'm still here!
01:22What keeps you here?
01:23The children keep me here, I love the children, I love supporting the families,
01:28I love this community, I've been in it for 11 years,
01:31it's really important to me and if I know I can make a difference I'll carry on.