Schools across the country are reaching “crisis point” and could be forced to cut teaching jobs because of a lack of funding, according to one head teacher.

Jonathan Morrell, who works at Queens’ School in Aldenham Road, Bushey, wrote an open letter to parents outlining the cutbacks that had already been made and warning that more were on the way.

“We have reduced the amount of support that we can offer to students and reduced training for teachers. The funding which we have used for extracurricular and other activities, which enhance the learning experience for our young people, has been cut or removed,” he said.

“The next step now will be to further reduce staffing and cut jobs.

“All schools are facing a funding crisis, meaning larger classes, staffing reductions and significantly reduced opportunities for our students.

“It is only because of the utter dedication and commitment of the staff in our schools, who give up their own precious and limited time, that you may not have yet noticed a deterioration in what we are able to provide.”

The concerned academy head attributed the deteriorating quality of education in the country to the fact that student numbers are increasing while, comparatively, Government funding is not.   

He said the cost of running the school is rising year on year, despite removing courses with low uptake and increasing class sizes, and claimed the school was close to reaching “crisis point” where outgoings exceed income.

He added: “The impact on children is significant and we are facing a vastly reduced capacity to ensure that all children’s needs are met.

“The Government tell us that there is more money in the education system than ever before, which there is, for the simple reason that there are more children in the system.

“The secondary schools and academies in Hertfordshire are no exception to what is a concern nationally.”

Mr Morrell urged parents to lobby their MP expressing their concerns, adding: “We need your help because doing nothing and changing nothing will mean a vastly reduced education system for all children, whatever their background or ability.

“The Government has put aside millions of pounds for academisation, grammar schools and to support new free schools – so they do have the power to fund education fairly and reasonably.”