Romilly Primary School's £410,000 black hole in finances

We revealed Vale of Glamorgan Council had to step in and save Penarth’s Stanwell School after an annual audit found the school had a massive £500,000 blackhole in their budget.

Now, it’s been revealed Romilly Primary School on Barry’s Park Crescent is in a similar situation, with a funding deficit currently sitting at over £400,000.

In the case of Romilly, headteacher Miss Katy Williams has said the school cannot find ways to make further cuts.

Miss Williams revealed the shocking data in a letter to parents.

In it she wrote: “At Romilly Primary School, despite many cost-saving measures and careful use of funding, we have had an increasing funding deficit for a number of years. This currently stands at approximately £410,000.

“Neither the school, governing body or Vale of Glamorgan Council can identify any further ways that we can reasonably cut costs or save money.”

Miss Williams then goes on to make a plea to the Welsh Government, claiming schools in the Vale are the leaset supported by the government in terms of financial assistance.

She goes on to say: “Schools are experiencing severe budget deficits, directly due to the Welsh Government’s school funding formula.

“Children in the Vale (the lowest funded county) do not receive similar amounts of educational funding compared to other pupils in Wales.

“It has been recommended the Welsh Government review and update their formula to ensure funding is fair for all pupils.”

This is a view supported by VOG Council.

Cllr Rhiannon Birch, Cabinet member for education and the Welsh language, said: “When it comes to education, we are the lowest funded local authority in Wales, operating £728 per pupil below the Welsh average, and at the close of accounts this year our school balances had fallen by around £6 million.

“Across all service areas, the council is looking to navigate a £9.7 million funding shortfall, largely brought about by the cost-of-living crisis as an uncertain economic situation has seen energy prices soar alongside climbing inflation and interest rates.

“These rises have also directly impacted school finances, as has an increase in school-age children in the county.”

THAT letter from Romilly School where the head says the school simply can't keep making cuts (Image: Romilly School)

A table attached to the letter alleges the Welsh Government's spread of education funding across Wales (Image: Romilly School)

The Welsh government has hit back at the Vale’s call for more funding, saying the funding offered has increased and school finances are determined by local authorities, which are best placed to judge local needs.

A government spokesperson said: “The amount of funding set aside for school budgets is for local authorities to determine. The government does not fund schools directly. This is in line with the Welsh Government’s policy that local authorities are best placed to judge local needs and circumstances and to fund schools accordingly.

“Despite our budget this year being up to £900m lower in real terms than expected initially, we ensured local authorities, who fund schools, received an increase of 7.9 per cent to their budgets compared to the previous year so that they can continue to prioritise school funding.”

What’s been going on at Romilly School? Parents, were you aware of the school’s financial situation? Are you a parent at the school concerned for the future of your child’s education? Heads of schools in the Vale, are you getting enough government support? Let us know your thoughts on the situation by emailing harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.