TEACHERS could face the sack at a popular primary school which is facing a £51,000 budget deficit because of falling pupil numbers, a union boss revealed today.

Unions say Barrowford County Primary School may have to cut three staff from the present roll and some classes could be merged to deal with the cash shortfall.

A Lancashire teaching union boss accused the school of a "lack of foresight" in its handling of the matter.

Short-term contracts may not be renewed and negotiations are taking place with the unions to head off compulsory redundancies at the 340-pupil school in Rushton Street.

National Association of Schoolteachers/Union of Women Teachers county secretary Mac Harrison said up to two permanent posts could be at risk in the run-up to the new school year starting August 3. He said there was no criticism of the teaching staff, who had found themselves in a very difficult situation.

But he said that although pupil projections showed numbers at Barrowford would fall, the school had still employed new staff last year.

"All the unions have expressed concern over the lack of foresight, particularly as the school employed staff over the last year.

"Unions and teachers are concerned that new staff had been appointed and now six months down the line we are in a situation where one or two staff could face compulsory redundancy."

Mr Harrison stressed that all parties concerned were working to avoid any compulsory redundancies.

He added that any reduction in staff would have a knock-on effect on the school, which could include having to amalgamate classes. "Advance planning in the light of the projected reduction in numbers could have avoided this situation," he added.

Mr Harrison said he had dealt with only four or five schools throughout the county which had found themselves in a similar situation.

"All schools are experiencing budgetary problems and schools in Burnley are experiencing similar difficulties because of declining pupil numbers.

"But it is true to say that, in contrast to the situation at Barrowford County Primary School, Burnley schools have managed the situation better."

Head teacher John Hufferdine said confidential talks were taking place with the governing body and he would be writing to parents as soon as class arrangements for the coming school year are finalised.

He said all schools received budgets for the new financial year in March and teacher staffing was calculated on the expected number of pupils in school, with rises and falls reflected in class organisation.

He said this happened in all the county's schools and Barrowford was no different.

"There is a general fall in pupil numbers throughout East Lancashire and many schools are experiencing this."

He added: "I do not expect any problems in maintaining the high quality of education provided at the school."

Mr Hufferdine said because of the sensitive nature of the situation he was unable to comment on specific issues.

He was not at school today and was unable to respond to Mr Harrison's criticism.

Chairman of governors Judith Taylor declined to comment.

A spokesman for Lancashire Education Authority said: "Schools have the responsibility to administer their budgets within the resources available."

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