A MAJOR cash crisis faces some of Lewisham's schools due to increasing staff costs.

The effect of the shortfall is set to be felt as schools find their budgets do not cover new teacher contracts requiring them to employ more classroom and support staff.

A rise in employers' pension and National Insurance contributions will further strain funds.

Affected schools could then be faced with harsh decisions, including job losses, to make up the gap.

One headteacher, Colin Boxall from Malory Secondary School, says his school has a shortfall of more than £200,000.

He added: "I've not had to reduce staffing at this time but we will have to cut back on resources."

Under the new September contracts, teachers will be entitled to time away from the classroom and support staff will instead take on more than 20 tasks such as collecting dinner money. But some Lewisham schools may have to make support staff redundant to save cash.

Lewisham Unison education convenor Mick Suter says Brockley Primary School is threatening to make seven of its eight teaching assistants redundant while St James's Hatcham C of E Primary School is also considering redundancies.

He said: "The Government has introduced local management of schools so schools will carry out the job cuts instead of the authorities."

Councillor Helen LeFevre says Lewisham Council must take action.

She said: "The council must go back to central Government and say this year's money is not enough."

She added Edmund Waller School, which her two children attend, has sent parents a letter asking them to think of ways to make up for this year's budget deficit.

One suggestion is for parents to put in £1 a week to cover the cost of school trips.

Lewisham Council was due to discuss schools' shortfalls this week.

A council spokesman said: "Lewisham Council has passed on the full increase it was given by Government to schools.

"Some schools are experiencing severe budget pressures due to rising staff costs and a reduction in other Central Government grants."

Lewisham National Union of Teachers' secretary Martin Powell-Davies said: "We won some significant increases in inner London pay for some teachers but it appears the Government has not funded the boroughs to meet these costs."

April 29, 2003 17:30