You may have heard about the campaign that Headteachers in other counties, such as West Sussex have launched, in order to protest at the lack of school funding and the effect on our children and young people.

Headteachers and governors in East Sussex have decided to do something similar and we would like to ask you to join in. This letter, sent to parents of primary and secondary age children across East Sussex, is an appeal for help. We need to let local and central government know that school funding is in crisis. We are using all channels available to us but as parents and members of the public, we feel they might listen to you.

We are starting by lobbying our local MPs and trying to get them to ask the government to help with the rising costs for schools. Individual schools will be doing this too, but we would like to ask you to write to your MP as parents to protest about the effects of funding cuts in schools.

The government claims that funding for schools has remained the same, but they do not mention that all schools face rising costs due to inflation and other extra charges recently introduced by the government. According to the National Audit Office, this will equate to £3billion less by 2020.

As a result, Headteachers across East Sussex are having to look very hard at our provision for pupils and we are considering decisions that would result in:

- Larger class sizes and fewer teachers and senior staff
- School buildings falling into disrepair
- Cuts to pastoral services including teaching assistants and support staff in general
- Outdated computer equipment
- Fewer GCSE and A Level options in secondary schools
- Fewer trips and after school activities that have previously been subsidised or offered free

The Rye Academies are in a similarly challenging position and, whilst always putting the children and their education first, will have to make a number of changes along the lines described above in order to stay within our financial boundaries.

Please follow this link to find a letter with further information about how YOU can be involved in this appeal by writing to local MPs: https://goo.gl/xVE3Yc