SCHOOLS in Carterton could be forced into the red or make job cuts because of RAF personnel movements.

The schools expect significant pupil increases when RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire closes and personnel and their families move to RAF Brize Norton.

But cash has dried up as Brize personnel move to make room for the Lyneham transfer. The majority of school funding is based on pupil numbers.

Mike Curtis, headteacher at Carterton Primary School, said his school had seen pupil numbers drop from 440 to 240 in the last five years.

He said the school needed about £45,000 this year to keep going, with a further £30,000 and £15,000 in the following two years.

He said: “We’re trying to keep as many experienced staff as we can.”

But he said he would face problems if the Government did not provide the cash. He said: “Either we go into the red or we get rid of staff, and if parents do turn up we say ‘I’m sorry but we can’t take you in’.”

Representatives from Carterton schools met Government policy advisers and county council cabinet member Michael Waine yesterday.

Council spokesman Louise Mendonca said the meeting was part of on-going discussions and it was hoped a long-term funding solution could be found.