CALLS have been made to boost funding for schools in Wrexham, with many facing a financial "crisis".

Four in 10 schools have requested a licensed deficit from Wrexham Council because they're unable to fund essential costs on an annual basis, with many having to make staff redundant to balance the books. 

Wrexham Council's education budget for the current financial year was reduced by £5.4m (five per cent) in real terms in February.

Senior councillors blamed a drop in central government funding at the time, combined with high inflation levels.

Figures have now been released by the local authority showing that 26 teaching assistants and 23 teachers have either been made redundant or their contracts allowed to expire since the decision was made.

Cllr Phil Wynn (Ind), Wrexham's lead member for education, said it was also expected to lead to a rise in the number of schools reporting a budget deficit.

The chair of Wrexham Council's Lifelong Learning scrutiny committee Councillor Carrie Harper, of Plaid Cymru, said: "The bottom line we're hearing from officers and head teachers is that there just isn't enough money in the system. Many have said they've never seen such a severe situation in their entire careers.

"Teaching unions such as the National Association of Head Teachers have been clear that the current issues stem from a reduction in funding from the UK Government to Wales. Real terms funding for schools has fallen by 6% since 2010 and schools are facing massive inflationary pressures.

"This means that our schools are facing a perfect storm of budget cuts, inflationary pressures, combined with increased pressure in terms of more challenging pupil behaviour post Covid. 

"The pressure on school staff and governing bodies is immense, many are between a rock and a hard place trying to balance their budgets and ensuring safe staffing levels. There is also a lot of anxiety about what comes next - falling pupil numbers and potential future cuts are adding to the strain.

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"The current situation is not sustainable, our education system across Wales is in crisis. Schools have no alternative means of raising the kind of funds we're talking about here. We need the UK Government to increase funding urgently and to ensure that any uplift passported to the Welsh Government is ringfenced for education."

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The amount of funding set aside for school budgets is for local authorities to determine, we do not fund schools directly. Local authorities are expected to work with schools to ensure funding arrangements are effective in supporting and raising the achievement of all learners, this includes funding for school staff.

“Despite significant budget pressures we have continued to prioritise public services, with an increase to local government funding of 3.3% in 2024-25, building on previous increases of 9.4% in 2022-23 and 7.4% in 2023-24. We recognise that demand for services, alongside cost pressures mean that authorities will need to make difficult decisions on services.”

Wrexham Council were approached for a comment.