Worrying signs for education as schools struggle to recruit support staff - The Yorkshire Post says

That is why the meeting of the members of the Wakefield Schools Forum should be an eye-opener for the Education Secretary.

The meeting heard that some schools are struggling to recruit teaching assistants and dining room staff. Instead people are opting for entry level jobs in hospitality or retail.

A major reason for this is finance. Finance officers are warning that upto 20 schools in the Wakefield district are likely to face a budget deficit by the end of the next financial year. It will only serve to heap on more pressure with a need for reductions in school budgets.

Richard Grace, from the Enhance Academy Trust, said: “We are stuck between a rock and hard place. We are actually getting to the point where we are drowning because we haven’t got the staff and the capacity and that extra money coming in.”

While Becky Cook, from the Waterton Academy Trust, says that schools “cannot compete” with businesses in hospitality, retail and leisure “and offer anywhere near the pay for the jobs that they do”.

Lets not forget that the pandemic has seen a lot of children fall behind in their development. That is why it is important that all schools are equipped with the necessary resources to get the best out of children. That includes support staff such as teaching assistants.

There is also a danger that schools in areas that suffer from deprivation could fall further behind, further hampering those children who are already disadvantaged as a result of the postcode that they live in.