A SOUTHEND headteacher says Government funding cuts are causing a “hidden crisis” in every school as he reveals that his grammar school is losing £1million a year.

Robin Bevan, headteacher of Southend High School for Boys, made the claim in a Facebook video for the National Education Union.

Mr Bevan claimed six years of cuts in school funding and rising inflation has had a profound effect.

He said: “Despite our profile as one of the country’s most successful schools we’ve always been one of the worst funded. When I first became headteacher ten years ago, I knew money would be tight but at least we were still able to deliver the education our children deserved. But it all started to change six years ago.

“Every year since 2012 our pupil funding has reduced and every year the Government still claims it has protected the schools budget but their claim doesn’t match reality. If you allow for rising costs and inflation our budget has been cut by the equivalent of £1million a year.”

Mr Bevan added: “We’ve done everything we can: increased class sizes, cut costs, increased staff workloads but unless funding levels are restored I fear the next round of cuts will see the end of key elements of school provision.

“This is a hidden crisis in every school. I’m speaking out because we’ve got no choices left”

Neil Houchen, headteacher of the Eastwood Academy, said: “Schools have faced real terms funding cuts since 2010 in the region of 12-15 per cent.

“I have undertaken a number of measures since 2010 to manage the real terms funding cuts whilst maintaining high standards at the Academy, but in the absence of additional funding this will be increasingly difficult to sustain.”

Mr Bevan’s outspoken views angered one Southend MP.

James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, said: “Whilst it is part of a functioning democracy that headteachers can have political views, these should remain private.

“I am deeply disappointed that Mr Bevan has used his role to politicise the school. This is deeply unhelpful to the school and its relationship with the community. There is a right way to lobby, this is not it.”

Fellow Conservative Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West said: “I have never heard of a headteacher doing such things before. As far as funding for our schools are concerned, I and every other Conservative MP are united in wanting to ensure that our schools have the proper and fair funding. This is what we intend to do and I am very optimistic in that regard concerning future spending proposals in the budget later this year.”