Small schools to be asked to share resources

Schools with fewer than 150 pupils face particular funding challenges

Smaller Nottinghamshire schools will be asked to share resources like bus costs and staff to deal with rising costs.

The county council said it has 70 schools with 150 pupils or fewer, and since funding is calculated per pupil, they have smaller budgets.

Despite their popularity with parents, declining birth rates are putting further pressure on their viability.

The authority has approved a strategy to encourage these schools to look at ways of spreading expenses, like informal partnerships, a federation governing several schools or joining an academy trust.

'Other options'

At a cabinet meeting on Thursday, the council heard these schools were often “the heart of the community”.

While the report presented said small schools were under pressure, it did not detail how many are facing financial problems, or outline any figures, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Sam Smith, cabinet member for education and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), said: “All schools are facing a declining birth rate, and this is affecting the budgets of small schools as funding is set per pupil.

“We are encouraging governing bodies to think of other options, such as working with other local schools and forming a collaboration.

“This lets them cut back on spending – they don’t need to book five buses for sports games, just one."

'Bigger isn't better'

He added: “A school business manager in every school may not be affordable, but there could be one across five schools.

“Nottinghamshire County Council don’t want to see small rural schools closing.

"They’re often family’s first choice – over 700 applied last year- and I’m committed to them remaining sustainable.”

Conservative councillor Chris Barnfather told the meeting that village schools were often “the heart of the community.”

“Many villages have already lost their shops, pubs and churches. If you take away the schools, that community spirit is lost,” he said.

“A local school is better than being conveyed 40 minutes to a large academy – bigger isn’t always beautiful.”

Of the schools with 150 or less pupils, 24 are in Bassetlaw and 17 in Newark and Sherwood.