Southend School Cuts Half Its Vital Teaching Assistants Amid Financial Woes
A Southend school has reduced its teaching assistants by half due to budget issues, raising concerns about support for students with special needs
Southend, Essex, Teaching Assistants, Special Educational Needs, School Cuts
Southend: A local school is facing some tough times. Southchurch High School has had to cut its teaching assistants from nine down to just five. This decision comes as the school tries to manage its finances better.
Teaching assistants play a crucial role, especially for kids with special needs. They help lighten the load for teachers and ensure that all students get the care they need. The school had recently improved its Ofsted rating, but these cuts could impact that progress.
Tracy Airoll, the headteacher, explained that financial pressures forced the school to restructure. She reassured everyone that the remaining assistants are doing a great job supporting students with special educational needs. Thankfully, no teachers lost their jobs in this process.
However, not everyone is happy about the cuts. Laurie Burton, a local councillor, expressed concern that the school’s management team is too large. He believes that instead of cutting teaching assistants, the school should look at reducing management costs first.
Southchurch High School, which serves nearly 800 students aged 11 to 16, is part of the Partnership Learning academy trust. After a recent inspection, the school is making strides in improving its curriculum and overall education quality.