77094-27A HEADTEACHER whose school is facing a budget shortfall of £100,000 says he could be forced to make cutbacks.

David Williams, of Kingsdown School, in Stratton, blames its financial problems on the fact that its results are so successful.

He says while less successful schools receive extra Government funding his does not because its results are too high.

And, if his appeals to the LEA for support go unanswered, he could be forced to make curriculum and staffing cuts.

Mr Williams said: "We are one of the worst funded schools in Swindon as we are not often party to any of the Govern-ment grants that are given out.

"I have no problem with the Govern-ment supporting schools in need of support.

"But I do think that more should be done to encourage successful schools.

"We are trying our best and we are doing a good job but it seems we are being penalised for it.

"Four years ago I asked Swindon Council how I could get more funding allocated to the school.

"I was told 'it's easy you just need to drop your results by 40 per cent.'

"It's pathetic but it seems that that's the only way to get more money."

Mr Williams fears he will not be able to maintain the school's successful results if the financial situation worsens.

"We are going to have to look seriously at making cuts to the curriculum and to increasing class sizes," he said.

"Staffing might have to be reduced as it is one of the greatest costs.

"We cannot continue to produce results like this if we make cuts to the curriculum it's just not possible."

As well as lessons being affected, urgent building work at the school could also be put on hold, according to Mr Williams.

"The school is in 1930s and 1960s buildings and is in massive need of repairs and maintenance," he said.

"We need windows and roofs replaced and the corridors need painting.

"We can't do this with the current financial situation."

He plans to meet with finance officers from the LEA to ask them for financial support.

"We run a tight ship and we have struggled year after year to balance our budget," he said. "But now it is worse than ever." A Swindon Council spokesman said: "We work with all schools to make sure they have a sound financial basis on which to work."

Funds facts

A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said all school budgets are worked out according to a standard formula.

It takes into account factors such as deprivation and whether the school is in a rural area but not exam results.

"There is a level playing field in that there is a standard funding formula," he said.

"In certain cases, however, there may be extra targeted resources given to support failing schools.

"These come from central Government and would be given in addition to normal funding.

"The majority would think this is right so all children can receive a good education."

Diana Milne