Government plans to give schools responsibility for more of their budgets could spell disaster for some Oxfordshire schools.

A major teaching union has criticised the proposed changes before a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the county's response towards the reforms.

Under the present system, governing bodies have control for a large portion of their budget including staffing and the cost of equipment and resources.

But the Government wants responsibility for other areas including repairs, professional advice, insurance and school meals, shifted from the education authority to schools.

The move would give all state schools the responsibility over their budgets currently enjoyed by grant-maintained schools.

Roy Leach, secretary of the National Union of Teachers in Oxfordshire, said the plan would mean hardship for cash-strapped smaller schools.

He said: "It could spell disaster for small schools, especially those in old or listed buildings. It's hard to see how any schools with fewer than 100 pupils could get enough money to carry out major works or get advice for a major problem.

"Delegation of repairs and maintenance would be devastating for some schools. It does not appear that the Government has thought through the implications."

He said any change would anger schools already in line for repairs.

Carole Thomson, chairman of the Oxfordshire Governors Association, said: "There's a real concern we will get hijacked into dealing with building problems which could distract us from what we should be about which is children."

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