PARENTS have voiced their fears about the loss that more than 10 teaching assistant posts would have on their children’s education.

Around 50 parents, governors, staff and councillors attended a meeting following the shock announcement that 11 jobs could go at SS Osmund and Andrew’s RC Primary School in Breightmet.

The meeting, at Deepdale Community Centre, was held as part of a campaign to have the proposals overturned.

Parents said they would lobby a meeting on Monday of the governing body, and a petition, which has attracted more than 400 signatures, would be handed in at a full council meeting next Wednesday.

Andrea Egan, assistant branch member of Unison, who chaired the meeting, said: “It is absolutely heartbreaking to see cuts from a national level being imposed on schools.

“Schools have got less and less money to do the things that they want to do.

“But I always say there are choices where the money is spent.

“One of the shocks for us was the scale of the cuts.

“What we have never had is this situation, where the cuts have been so deep that it has prompted such a reaction from parents.”

Suzi Boardman, school representative for Unison, said:”The school has proposed to cut 11 staff which is huge. I have never come across this before.

“Teaching assistants are very important to schools. They read with the children, they listen to their problems, they help with maths, correct their spelling - they cover for teachers. I could go on for hour. Take that away and you are taking something that is very valuable to your children, and a massive support to teachers.

“We can ask the school to look at what they are currently spending that is not on staffing,such as services they buy in.”

Parent Louise Bancroft said: “My children love that school and the teaching assistants.”

Another parent said: “You can’t put a price on teaching assistants.

“There are other options and solutions and that’s why we need to get together and fight it as best as we can.

“A petition has got over 400 signatures which is fantastic. Teaching assistants are invaluable, we need them and without them it is the kids who are going to suffer.”

Other parents expressed concerns over what would happen to children who needed extra support, and gifted and talented youngsters.

One parent said: If the teaching assistant is not there, my gifted child is not going to be pushed and reach her potential and my younger child who is on the pathway will be pushed aside.

“A teacher cannot give the attention that is needed. You need the two.”

Another added “If there are not the teaching assistants to help them, the children are not going to get to where they need to be and achieve their potential.”

Governors who were at the meeting said they would feedback concerns to the governing body.