SUPPORT staff at a Bradford primary school have been told they could soon lose their jobs with one teaching union fearing the situation is likely to be repeated in other schools.

More than 20 members of staff at Lapage Primary School and Nursery in Barkerend were warned cuts needed to be made for the school to balance its books.

Wahid Zaman, head teacher of the school which has more than 720 pupils, said he and governors had "considered all options", and that recent improvements in the school meant fewer staff in non-teaching roles were needed.

The Bradford Schools Forum, made up of teachers, heads and council staff, heard at its last meeting that the majority of Bradford's schools would be in debt within two years because of rising wages, increased pension contributions and school funding not rising fast enough.

In the space of a few years Lapage Primary in Barkerend Road has pulled itself up from being on the brink of special measures to being highly praised by inspectors.

Mr Zaman said: "Lapage Primary is a large school that has transformed over recent years from one that was causing concern to one which operates consistently well. In a recent external review the school was judged to be outstanding in all areas.

"The school is acting to ensure that it is able to secure a balanced budget. Our primary concern is to sustain the school's current strong performance in the best interests of pupils while also responding to our budget position. We now have a very high quality teaching staff, judged outstanding in our recent review, which means that we do not need to maintain the historic level of support staff.

"Governors and leaders in school have considered all options and their impact, and will listen to the views of all concerned through a redundancy consultation process before any final decision."

The school has not revealed how many support staff are at risk, although the Telegraph & Argus understands it is up to 23.

Michael Jameson, strategic director of children's services at Bradford Council, said: "We are working closely with the school to help it find the best solution in responding to its budget position while minimising the impact on staff as far as possible and while also maintaining the very high standards it provides to young people."

Ian Murch, Bradford spokesman for the NUT, said: "Clearly there is a budget problem in the school, and quite a lot of schools have similar problems because of Government funding.

"At Lapage things seem to be a bit more dramatic that at other schools I've heard of, but it is happening in other schools."

Councillor Ralph Berry, executive for children's services at the council, said; "Lots of schools are suffering under the coalition's funding arrangements. Because of these cuts, schools are having to manage their budgets.

"It is not that these staff are bad at their jobs, it is just that schools are having to change the way they budget."