Background

On the 18th of June 2024, after schools had completed their yearly budget arrangements, Norfolk County Council announced that it was to cut the top-up payments received by state schools for SEND students by up to 48%.

The effective halving of this benefit plunged almost all state schools into tremendous financial strain, resulting in unjust redundancies, the inability to purchase crucial resources and an all-round decrease in the quality of education schools are able to offer.

In many SEND specialist schools, the financial situation is even worse. In addition to these issues, some face the prospect of bankruptcy, destabilising the education and lives of many neurodivergent students and their families.

No more lost resources. No more redundancies. No more cuts. Let’s stand up for education and prevent this policy from harming the wonderful state schools in this county.

Our petition

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our strong opposition to the County Council’s decision to cut the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) top-up payments for state schools in Norfolk. The reduction has cost schools millions of pounds collectively. We oppose this policy because:

1.         The cut has meant many SEND specialist schools are now having significant financial issues, with some even facing bankruptcy

2.         The cut has also resulted in mass redundancies across the county (in no way exclusive to SEND specialist schools) as headteachers are forced to choose between losing loyal staff members or going into debt

3.         We believe it is wrong in principle for the council to cut SEND support as a way of covertly cutting the education budget for state schools

4.         The Council did not provide schools enough time to adapt before the budget cuts were executed

It is our urgent request that the County Council will reconsider the impacts this policy has had on the jobs, education and lives of thousands in Norfolk, and that they will overturn this decision.

Please also be sure to follow us on social media:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petitionagainstbudgetcuts1?igsh=MWNkb3oyZ2Jpdm40Yw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@norfolkagainstsencuts
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572225134308
• X: https://x.com/petitionag2384
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NorfolkAgainstEducationCuts

In addition to signatures, we are constantly looking for help from councillors, volunteers or even students from other schools to spread our message. If you think you might be able to help us, please email us at petitionagainstbudgetcuts@gmail.com.