A demonstration will be held in Midsomer Norton today (Saturday November 16) demanding increased school funding in Bath and North East Somerset.

It has been organised by Labour councillor Grant Johnson and will be held outside McColl's at 11am.

Among those demonstrating will be a teacher in a North East Somerset special school, who has shared her fears for a generation of children – and those who educate them.

Paula Black has been a teacher has been in teaching since 1991 but said most new recruits leave the profession after just two years.

She said cuts in recent years had affected young people at home and in school, and support was no longer available.

"Some children I teach have suffered a triple effect of austerity," said Ms Black.

"They have a personal education budget that's been affected. They come from homes that are deprived.

"They come to school hungry because their parents are on benefits or have mental health problems, and when they get sanctions on their benefits there's a lack of food in the house.

"The support they used to be able to access has been cut to the bone – council services, mentoring, sure start centres.

"It's having a profound impact. You only have one youth.

"They aren't being taught a broad and balanced curriculum, they aren't being taught music or art or PE. We have an explosion of obesity but don't give young people the skills to keep fit.

"In mainstream schools they're permanently excluding children like never before. They become disenfranchised."

Ms Black has backed Mark Huband as Labour's candidate for North East Somerset but said: "Any new Government needs to take education seriously.

"We need to invest in our young people, invest in education, invest in youth services. We need a forward-thinking curriculum.

"I've been teaching a long time. It's the young teachers who are leaving, those who will need to replace me.

"They'll do two years and then leave. They're overwhelmed with the pressure, with expectations they can't meet. There isn't support available to them."