A SKIPTON school says it is remaining financially stable despite a teachers’ union starting a government petition calling for additional funding.

The NAHT (National Association of Head Teachers) has provided data showing the loses incurred by schools across Yorkshire and the country between 2015 and 2020 and the cuts in funding per pupil.

The average loss to secondary schools in North Yorkshire is listed as £84,260 while the average cuts to primary schools is £15,178.

The figures for Skipton school losses between 2015 and 2020 along with the per pupil losses are:

The Skipton Academy - £65,771. Per pupil loss - £171.

Skipton Girls’ High School - £2,664. Per pupil loss - £5.

Ermysted’s Grammar School - £1,942. Per pupil loss - £3.

Water Street School - £29,273. Per pupil loss - £133.

Skipton Parish Church School - £67,069. Per pupil loss - £266.

Greatwood School - £38,533. Per pupil loss - £183.

Christ Church School - £17,430. Per pupil loss - £112.

Further afield, Carleton Primary School - £17,837. Per pupil loss - £115.

Embsay Primary School - £1,639. per pupil loss - £8.

Gargrave Primary School - £8,691. Per pupil loss - £74.

However, despite the national cuts being fought by the union, principal of The Skipton Academy, Richard McManus, said his school was financially secure despite the cuts occurring nationally.

He said: “Investing in education is essential to promote economic growth and a more skilled workforce. That education should be funded by government to enable all institutions to be outstanding. The current funding is some way from that in a number of areas.

“At The Skipton Academy we are improving as a school, are coming out of Special Measure and have more students allocated to us for next year’s year 7 than for a number of years.

“While there is pressure from things such as teaching and non-teaching staff pay rises which have not been fully funded, the National Funding Formula and increased employment contributions for pensions and National Insurance we are still continuing to improve.

“We, unlike many local authority controlled schools have never posted a deficit budget and are financially secure.”

The petition has gained almost 107,000 signatures so far.

Parliament debated the topic on Monday, March 4. In a response on February 5, the Government said: “We recognise schools are facing budgeting challenges and we are asking them to do more. We have increased funding by an extra £1.3bn across this year and next, over and above previous spending plans.”