Two-thirds of Jersey's schools went overbudget in 2024 with more than £2 million overspent
Newly released figures have revealed that nearly two-thirds of Jersey's government-funded schools went overbudget in 2024, leading to a combined overspend of more than £2 million.
It comes as the number of children needing additional support has more than doubled since 2017, with the island's largest teaching union branding the situation "dire" and "unsustainable".
Jersey's Education Minister, Deputy Rob Ward, says: "The reason for this is that the need is increasing.
"For example, records of needs have gone from 212 in 2017 to over 500 last year and those require support: that support is expensive and we have to spend that money."
The data from a Freedom of Information request revealed Grainville Secondary School had the highest overspend of £553,315 in 2024, while Grouville was the highest primary school with a deficit of £262,964.
Victoria College went overbudget by £128,867 last year and has sent a letter to parents to notify them about an above-inflation 6.5% increase in fees from the Autumn term.
It says the rise is necessary due to staffing expenses and funding for pupils with Special Educational Needs, stating: "These costs are driven in part by an increase in staff costs based on existing delivery models and influenced by Government of Jersey pay agreements; and in part due to an increase in non-pay related costs of running a school.
"Grant funding allocation from the Government of Jersey is not sufficient. Essentially, the Government should fund 47% of the average cost of a pupil at another GoJ school – we do not believe this funding model is currently being met.
"Funding for some of our pupils with Special Educational Needs is insufficient. Some students have their support prorated to 47% while others receive 100%."
Deputy Ward explains the budget overspends will be sorted: "The deficits will be dealt with over the term of the year, that's why those figures which look good in the press are somewhat misleading.
"We are doing everything we can, I am an advocate for funding of schools, and we need to look into the future in what way we are going to meet the growing need across our estate.
"I would always like to see the budget increased, that's my role, I'd like us to see more opportunity to do the best that we can for every child in this island.
"We need an intelligent and informed discussion about funding, rather than conflating lots of different figures, which I think can be quite disappointing for schools when one school is paid off against another, so I'd like that to end and let's have an intelligent conversation."
Arguing schools are not prioritised, Marina Mauger from the NASUWT teachers' union says: "I just think that if we are going to truly live on an island that puts children first, then education should get the bulk of funding, not the minority.
"The thing that is going wrong is that schools historically have been grossly underfunded by the Government.
"When I have teachers ringing me and saying, 'We are not allowed to print, we are not allowed to photocopy, the school can't afford it', something is drastically wrong to get to that place on a very wealthy island."
Also commenting on the figures, Deputy Jonathan Renouf adds: "The minister says that it is largely driven by an increase in Special Educational Needs, and I think what we would like to see is a little bit of accounting to show where the money has actually gone and how much of it.
"He is asking for more, he says education has been underfunded, so we need to understand before we can go down that road, I think, we just need to see what has happened to that money so far."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
The ten ways to protect your money from a disaster: As the threat of nuclear war looms and cyberattacks soar, experts reveal the life-saving ways every family can keep their cash safe
In an increasingly fraught world, threats to the security of our finances are coming from all sides. The prospect of war between the US and Iran, paired with growing domestic concerns, means you'd be forgiven for worrying about how it might affect you.
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Fettes College may cut jobs after Government's VAT decision
The private school in Edinburgh said it needs to run its operations "as efficiently as possible". Jobs at a prestigious Scots private school may be lost as it looks to cut costs following the UK Government's introduction of VAT on school fees. Fettes College in Edinburgh said the decision was one of the reasons it took the 'difficult' decision to 'right size our staffing model'. The Scotsman reported that the school – attended by former prime minister Tony Blair – has opened a consultation process for both teaching and operational staff in order to reduce numbers. The most recent accounts show 751 students in August 2024, down from 780 the previous year. academic year, inclusive of VAT. The Labour government imposed VAT on private education and boarding fees, effective from January 1. Ministers argue that removing the VAT exemption will benefit the wider education sector, including the 94% of pupils who attend state schools. A spokesman for Fettes College said the sector is facing a 'tough time' and appealed for privacy for the staff involved. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The spokesman said: 'Various factors have conspired to increase costs on all organisations and schools are not immune, particularly with the recent imposition of VAT on school fees and rise in national insurance contributions. 'Despite being financially very well managed with a strong student roll, these factors are having an impact on our costs and numbers, and we are obliged to run our operations as efficiently as possible. 'These headwinds obviously affect our families too and our parents need to be certain that we are taking the necessary decisions to run the school efficiently and to use their money effectively. 'A consultation process began in May to right size our staffing model. This difficult decision may result in some redundancies. 'We will continue to provide the highest standard of educational experience, delivering our innovative vision for the school and maintaining our position as a leader in the sector.'
The Herald Scotland
4 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Edinburgh private school Fettes College warns of staff cuts
The school's fees range from £5,000 to £18,000 per term depending on age and whether pupils are boarding there but, as reported by The Scotsman, it is considering cutting staff amid financial pressures. The private school said that factors such as the introduction of VAT on fees and a rise in National Insurance were "having an impact on our costs and numbers" despite Fettes College being "financially very well managed". Read More: It is undertaking a consultation process aimed at cutting staff which "may result in some redundancies". The school employs around 125 teaching staff and 210 operation staff for a payroll of £15.4million, with its latest accounts showing income of £24.2m and outgoings of £26.2m. Fettes College said in a statement: "Various factors have conspired to increase costs on all organisations and schools are not immune, particularly with the recent imposition of VAT on school fees and rise in National Insurance contributions. "Despite being financially very well managed with a strong student roll, these factors are having an impact on our costs and numbers, and we are obliged to run our operations as efficiently as possible. 'These headwinds obviously affect our families too, and our parents need to be certain that we are taking the necessary decisions to run the school efficiently and to use their money effectively.' Private schools were previously exempt from VAT, but the UK Government changed that policy in an effort to raise around £1.8bn a year for state schools. Earlier this month a legal challenge by private schools, pupils and parents was rejected by the High Court.
