Documents obtained through a freedom of information request show that Lambeth Academy may be forced to make up to five learning support assistants redundant, after Lambeth Council decided to change how it funds pupils with SEN statements at the school.
In the past, the council funded all services for children with statements. But Lambeth is now refusing to fund the first 15 hours of support for every statemented child, after the council realised it is not required to pay for these initial hours.
The academy has already budgeted for the new school year, so the changes will leave the school with a deficit of £132,000 in next year's SEN budget - money that is earmarked to fund learning support assistant posts.
Jane McConnell, chief executive of the Independent Panel for Special Education Advice, said: "For (the council) to pull funding at this late juncture will have a dire and direct effect on children."
But a Lambeth Council spokesman said it "recognises and supports" the SEN work undertaken by the academy.
He said: "Budgetary adjustments have been made to ensure funding is consistent across all Lambeth schools."
Lambeth Academy was unavailable to comment as CYP Now went to press.
