Barnet’s schools could be made to pay to make up for the loss of government funding – a move many feared would lead to redundancies.

The Government has given the green light for the council to charge maintained schools – those that are overseen by the council – to make up for its decision to axe the education services grant, which funded services such as behaviour support and assessment management

Thousands of people signed a petition against the plans, which were deemed the “last straw” by one school governor at a meeting of the council’s children, adults and safeguarding (CESG) committee on November 29.

But yesterday (Wednesday, January 16), council officers told the CESG committee that the Secretary of State had approved the council’s proposal.

This means schools face charges amounting to more than £32 per pupil and fees of up to £28,000 for some primary schools.

But the council has dropped plans to transfer 0.5 per cent out of the schools block budget to meet growing demand from children with special educational needs after the Government announced extra high needs funding in December.

The additional £250 million for high needs pupils means Barnet schools will get an extra £964,000 up to 2020.

In response to questioning from Cllr Pauline Coakley-Webb, Labour member for Coppetts, Ian Harrison, director of education and skills, confirmed the extra financial guarantee would only last for a year.

He said: “It may soften the blow for this year, but next year we could be back in the same position.”

A growing number of the borough’s schools are facing financial pressure following an eight per cent real-terms cut in funding per pupil over the past decade, according to a committee report.

Eight of Barnet’s maintained schools have budget deficits, and the council is providing advice and support to those affected.

The CESG agreed to adopt a phased approach to a new government funding formula, which the borough’s schools overwhelmingly preferred over a straightforward transition to the new arrangements.

None of the borough’s maintained schools will receive less funding per pupil in the 2019-20 financial year than in 2018-19 as a result of the new formula – but the charge to make up for the loss of the education services grant could lead to reductions.

The overall schools budget will be considered by the policy and resources committee on February 20.