More budget cuts and a shortage of qualified teachers in North Yorkshire schools have been predicted by headteacher Peter Fletcher.

Mr Fletcher was speaking at Easingwold School's annual prizegiving ceremony last night when he again praised the work of pupils, staff and governors over the last year.

But he said the achievements had been made as the school faced annual budget cuts and a constant flow of new initiatives from the Government.

He said the education funding formula for councils, which awards different amounts to different areas, meant North Yorkshire received five per cent less than the national average per pupil.

Despite increases in Easingwold School's budget for the last four years, the rate of inflation had been higher.

"The cumulative cuts to this school's budget since 1994 amount to just over £100,000, the equivalent of four full-time teachers or 100 lessons per week.

"The Government claim that £19billion extra will be spent in education over the next three years. We wait with interest to see what crumbs arrive in North Yorkshire from the full tables of the South and the urban areas."

He said the funding formula was to be reviewed by the Government but this would take three years: "With a three-year moratorium on formula changes, we face similar problems ahead in North Yorkshire schools."

He also voiced concerns about a looming recruitment crisis in teaching nationally as many teachers are due to retire in five years' time.

"To solve this problem of recruitment needs a change of hearts and minds about the status and conditions for teachers," he said.

"We are fortunate here. We have an experienced and committed staff, a good student body and an excellent team of governors. It is unlikely, though, that even North Yorkshire will escape the teacher shortage problems that are now so evident elsewhere in the country."

He said that praise from parents meant a lot to the school, and in turn he praised pupils after the school saw improving GCSE, GNVQ and A-level results.

Looking back over the year, he also mentioned the formal opening of the new suite of maths teaching rooms and the refurbishment of two food technology rooms and said the school was now looking for funding for science laboratories and a purpose-built sports hall.

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