Special advisers costing more than £300,000 are to be drafted in as schools consider axing staff over severe budget cuts.

Advertisements for the seven posts at salaries between £32,847 and £55,929 have been placed on Southend Council's website.

It comes just days after Southend headteachers warned of £200,000 shortfalls in funding which could prompt teacher redundancies.

Many local education authorities around the country have been forced to make teachers redundant because of the grants which have been given to them by the Government this year.

Published Thursday, April 17, 2003

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