SCHOOLS in Bradford are having to offer a more limited education experience to their pupils in order to avoid falling into the red.

Several local heads told the Bradford Schools Forum that support staff and IT facilities are just some of the things schools have had to cut to avoid overspending their budgets.

And they say that unless funding for schools is increased by the Government, many schools in Bradford will struggle with their budgets in the coming years.

The forum, comprising school leaders, was discussing school balances at a meeting in City Hall on Wednesday. Members have been calling for greater funding for schools for several years, claiming the money they get from Government is failing to match rising costs.

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Schools finance officer Andrew Redding presented the seemingly positive news that most Council-run schools in the district ended the 2018/19 financial year with money spare in their budgets, with only five schools having overspent and some schools actually having increased their balances compared to the previous year.

But he warned that in the next two years many schools would likely fall into the red unless the Government increases their funding.

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He said: "Anyone from the Government looking at this would probably ask what the problem was and why we were clamouring for more funding. This has happened because the majority of schools have taken effective action to balance their budgets so far. But when we look at school spending forecasts to 2021, things look pretty horrible. Schools are telling us they will face significant financial difficulties in two or three years' time. If nothing changes with the school funding system, then school deficits will rise."

School bosses pointed out that the balanced budgets had only happened because of huge cuts to staff and facilities.

Sue Haithwaite, head of Chellow Heights Special School said: "This has come at a significant cost to the local offer schools can provide. It is affecting what we can provide individual pupils. We are having to greatly reduce what we provide as a result of trying to keep positive budgets."

She said pupils, many of who have autism, were now being taught in larger classes due to tightening budgets.

Chair of the forum Dianne Richardson, head of Swain House Primary, said; "Other schools have said that the decisions they have made to balance the budget have taken them to the wire."

Gill Holland, CEO of the Bronte Academy Trust, said: "We have saved money but it has been at a cost. We don't have the ICT infrastructure we'd like, we haven't been replacing some staff when they leave. The fact that this will impact on students is inevitable really."

Kevin Holland, CEO of the Priestley Academy Trust, said: "Most schools have done major restructures. Support staff are almost non-existent now compared to what they were before."

Tehmina Hashmi, Principal of Bradford Academy said: "At what point do schools say 'enough is enough - we can't make it work?' It is a game of chicken, schools are trying to keep their heads above water.

"It feels like schools are doing the Government's work for them."

Mr Redding said: "I appreciate what you are saying. Yes there are implications for reducing spending on the quality of provision.

"But my role means I can't allow schools to run away with a deficit budget if I can balance the budget."

The forum heard that funding announcements could be made in the Government's Autumn Statement.