SCHOOLS across Dudley borough are expected to be a hit by NUT strike action next week over funding cuts.

The teachers’ union is planning a one-day strike on Tuesday, which is likely to force many schools to close or partially close.

Dudley NUT warns that borough schools will face major cuts due to the implementation of the government’s proposed National Funding Formula (NFF), on top of the losses due to cuts in school funding.

It claims, schools in Dudley face losing more than £10 million overall.

Figures quoted by the union say a typical primary school will lose £53,183 representing the funding for 1.2 teachers, while a typical secondary school will lose £239,322 representing the funding for 5.2 teachers.

In a statement the union said: “That’s why NUT members are taking action to fight cuts in funding, defend national terms and conditions for teachers and secure a national negotiating framework.

“The government is imposing real terms funding cuts on schools by freezing their per-pupil funding as inflation rises and loading additional costs onto schools through increased employer pension and national insurance contributions. This will affect all schools.

“The cuts will result in job losses, hitting teacher workload and pay, just when we face intensifying problems in the supply of teachers and big increases in pupil numbers.

“The cuts will result in a narrowing curriculum and the acceleration of the ‘exam factory’ approach just when parents and young people need high quality education.”

The NUT fears the government’s proposed NFF will not address the funding shortages.

Its figures – based on estimates from the influential f40 group of local authorities – show the overall funding freeze means that even areas which appear to gain funding under a new funding formula will in fact be worse off by the end of this parliament.

The union added: “Reallocating inadequate levels of overall funding will not address the funding crisis in education.

“The NUT is campaigning for additional funding to support the funding reform we need but without cutting funding for any school. There are no winners under this government’s current school funding policies, only losers.”