Students forced to pay for textbooks as Suffolk's schools in 'funding crisis'

A lack of sixth form investment from the Government-sponsored Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is forcing many schools to charge students for resources, the National Union of Teachers said.  

King Edward VI School in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, one of the country's leading state schools, has now had to introduce charging for textbooks.  

There is a lack of investment within post-16 education at a number of schools, according to the National Union of Teachers (File Photo)

In a newsletter sent out to parents, headteacher Geoff Barton warned teenagers would have to pay for their own core textbooks in some subjects.

Mr Barton said his funding had been slashed despite having to offer new courses.

Graham White, branch secretary for the National Union of Teachers in Suffolk, warned this was not an isolated case. He said a serious shortage of sixth-form investment was forcing other schools to charge pupils for books and, in the case of vocational courses, materials.

Mr White said: 'We are really concerned. This is becoming more and more common within post-16 education at a number of schools. There is a serious funding crisis.'

'It is not just textbooks that students are starting to have to pay for themselves, he added: 'In some vocational courses, such as design and technology, students are having to pay for their own materials.

Emrys Green, member of Suffolk Youth Parliament, said the cash crisis would hit poorer students hard.

'We fear students are being excluded from some subjects because of the costs. That's really going to damage the education experience.'

The LSC defended its decision to cut King Edward VI School's funding . Judith Mobbs said: 'The LSC has provided King Edward School Sixth Form a total of £1.45million this year.

'This money will fund 331 student places which was the total number of students enrolled at the college last year and the realistic number of places we believed the college could provide for this year.

'The funding is just over £3,000 less than last year and this is because of the type of courses the college is offering, some of which require less funding than others.'

She added: 'LSC funding for King Edward School Sixth Form equates to £4,380 per student, which is comparable with other institutions across Suffolk, and should be sufficient funds for the college to meet the requirements of the courses.  

'In addition to this core funding, the LSC is investing significant money in 14-16 provision at King Edward School to provide places for Young Apprenticeships and more education opportunities for young people.'