Parents and staff from a Sudbury primary school gathered outside the Suffolk County Council HQ today to protest job cuts.

Staff from Pot Kiln Primary School in Great Cornard, Sudbury protested outside Endeavour House in Ipswich before handing in a petition opposing job cuts.

East Anglian Daily Times: Staff from Pot Kiln Primary School in Great Cornard, Sudbury protested outside Endeavour House in Ipswich.Staff from Pot Kiln Primary School in Great Cornard, Sudbury protested outside Endeavour House in Ipswich. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

In early February, the primary school announced their plans to lay off up to 15 teaching assistants and midday supervisors due to an "unforeseen" budget shortfall of £75,000.

An overwhelming majority of 90% of staff voted in favour of strikes in March and a second strike took place in late April.

East Anglian Daily Times: Over 30 people gathered on the steps of Endeavour House.Over 30 people gathered on the steps of Endeavour House. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

Today's protest saw more than 30 staff and parents gather on the steps of Endeavour House chanting: "Pot Kiln Primary, we love you. Suffolk County Council, shame on you."

Union group UNISON gave Suffolk County Council a petition signed by 672 people who oppose the job cuts.

East Anglian Daily Times: Union group UNISON gave Suffolk County Council a petition signed by 672 people who oppose the job cuts.Union group UNISON gave Suffolk County Council a petition signed by 672 people who oppose the job cuts. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

Midday supervisory assistant (MDSA) Jo Doust, 32, also has two children at the school and said the cuts would prevent her autistic son from having one-to-one care.

East Anglian Daily Times: Jo Doust, 32, has two children at the school and said the cuts would prevent one-to-one care for her autistic son.Jo Doust, 32, has two children at the school and said the cuts would prevent one-to-one care for her autistic son. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

Laura Ayres, 35, both an MDSA and a cleaner at Pot Kiln, said: "I'm here to support all our staff members.

"If these positions aren't there, teachers aren't going to have a full lunchtime and pupils won't have a safe lunchtime.

East Anglian Daily Times: Laura Ayres, 35, is a midday supervisory assistant and cleaner at the school.Laura Ayres, 35, is a midday supervisory assistant and cleaner at the school. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

"I'm hoping the Council change their mind and help keep the staff members that we need."

One such staff member who has been made redundant after 25 years at the school as a result of the job losses is Yvonne Howard, 58.

East Anglian Daily Times: Yvonne Howard (right) was made redundant after 25 years of working at Pot Kiln Primary School.Yvonne Howard (right) was made redundant after 25 years of working at Pot Kiln Primary School. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

"It's a bitter pill to swallow," she said.

"In all my time working there, this is the most challenging time we've ever worked through."

East Anglian Daily Times: Staff and parents alike gathered to protest the job cuts.Staff and parents alike gathered to protest the job cuts. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said schools and their governing bodies are responsible for setting and managing their own budget.

They added: "We continue to work with the school in an advisory capacity to help the school manage its own financial challenges."