More than £5 million spent by schools across Sandwell employing agency staff

The figures follow a Freedom of Information request, which revealed expenditure on casual workers across primary, secondary and special schools in the borough from 2016/17.

They were used to cover sickness and maternity leave, and were also drafted in to help with exams and recruitment. A total of £4,173,866 was spent on primaries, £972,706 on secondaries and £398,576.43 by special schools – £5,545.148.28 in total.

The amount spent per school ranged from £628.00 to 404,329.35, according to the statistics.

Among the highest spending primary schools were Uplands Manor in Smethwick with £250,995.48, Cape Primary, also in Smethwick, with £210,017.46, and Hall Green Primary in West Bromwich with £187,906.98.

The biggest secondary school bills were for Holly Lodge High in Smethwick with £404,329.35 and Stuart Bathurst RC High in Wednesbury with £232,439.06.

The highest bill for a special school was The Orchard School in Oldbury with £145,005.06.

Each school controls its own budget but Sandwell Council has said it works with them to help retain staff and reduce sickness absence.

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “The council does not spend money on agency staff – the schools employ the supply teachers rather than the council.

“They make decisions locally about the needs of their school.

“Also a proportion of the costs will be associated with academic coaches rather than teachers, which are simply employed to deliver specific parts of the curriculum, such as sports coaches.”