A Southend school is having to lay off staff in a bid to save money.

Despite £1.3billion extra funding announced by Education Minister Justine Greening, Temple Sutton School, in Eastern Avenue, is in negotiations to make support staff redundant.

The school, which has not revealed how many positions are at risk, said the move was a “restructuring” exercise due to a lack of funding.

Headteacher Tim Barrett said: “It is with great regret that the school has had to begin this consultation process with staff and trade unions regarding cost savings and efficiencies across non-teaching support staff.

“It is not a decision we have taken lightly, but the reality is we face a number of financial challenges and pressures that we must address. The biggest one of these is the reduction in foundation stage children attending Temple Sutton Primary School. Whilst we initially thought this was a single one-year issue, unfortunately numbers have failed to materialise again this year. “

Mr Barrett added: “This, along with the ongoing move towards a National Funding Formula - that currently sees the majority of Southend schools being affected financially - plus increased cost pressures such as increased National Insurance and pension contributions, means that we forecast a significant planned deficit beyond this financial year, and obviously that is not financially sustainable.We cannot give any further details at this stage, but we are working sensitively and closely with staff and trade unions to look at all viable financial options for the future.”

The news comes after the Echo reported Southend Education board believes schools in the borough would be 0.5 per cent worse off in real terms despite the extra funding for the Schools National Funding Formula.

Southend MPs James Duddridge and Sir David Amess both campaigned for more funding after it emerged the initial formula proposed by the Government would have left every school in the borough worse off.

Sir David said: “It is certainly not my understanding that our local schools will receive less funding when inflation is taken into account. So I will as a matter of urgency seek clarification from the Department of Education.”

Mr Duddridge added: “It is important to note that investment in education is increasing, whilst other budgets are feeling the pinch. I want to reassure my constituents that I will continue to work closely with the Department of Education and James Courtney to secure the best deal for Rochford and Southend East.”