FIVE jobs are being cut at a Halesowen school with an overspend on staffing being blamed.

The Halesowen CofE staff will leave at the end of term.

They are taking a mix of retirement, voluntary redundancy and compulsory redundancy.

Headteacher Lorna Knowles refused to reveal whether the posts being cut were teaching positions, but said none of them were full-time posts.

She said: “Our spend on staffing was too high and not sustainable. With this in mind we have held a consultation on staffing over the past few months."

She added: "Due to a whole school restructure five members of staff – none of whom are full-time teachers - will be leaving us at the end of the academic year.

“It will be very sad to say goodbye to these staff members and we want to thank them for all of their hard work and commitment to Halesowen C of E over a number of years.

“Redundancies are always a last resort, but nationally education funding is in something of a crisis and we are not alone in having to take this action.

“We remain committed to providing the very best supervision and education for our children, while at the same time running a financially viable school.”

The primary school in High Street, which is rated good by Ofsted, has 233 pupils on its roll.

A letter to parents states: "We have held a consultation on staffing over the last few months supported by Dudley HR.

"This included a selection and interview process.

"The result of this is at the end of this academic year our staffing numbers will be reduced.

"Some of this has been achieved by staff retiring or taking voluntary redundancy.

"Some staff sadly have been made redundant.

"The situation has been very difficult for all staff but what has been amazing is how dedicated everyone has been and continues to be ensuring our children are not affected."

A parent, who didn't wish to be named, said: "It is so sad when our young children have to suffer.

"Teachers train hard do provide a good service - then to be told to go because of money, it's terrible.

"Britain is a rich country and we cannot provide services for our children.

"Education is a human right.

"I feel for the teachers - the school is amazing - I cannot fault them, they all care and work so hard.

"It's so sad."