The Governments climb down on forcing every school to become academies has been greeted with delight by Councillors in the rural West of the County.
Cllr Nigel Hartin (Clun Division, said; “The announcement in the Budget about academies would have had a huge impact on our schools. The Government stated that no school of 70 pupils or was viable as an academy would have put at risk almost every primary school in South West Shropshire .
“Whilst I am very glad to hear about this u-turn there are many issues putting severe pressure on our schools that the Government urgently needs to address. The current funding freeze means that even outstanding schools which are full with 72 pupils, will be forced to downgrade education by 2018.
HALF A BILLION POUNDS
Heather added “Pressures on school’s funding such as increases in the minimum wage , teachers small pay rise and in National Insurance contributions are not funded by the Government.. With funding being frozen the outlook is bleak.
“However the Government has already put aside half a billion pounds for the academies programme. Surely some of this money can now be redirected to allow our small schools to continue to deliver their excellent standard of education. The Government are promising improved settlement in 2019 but this is too late and is not sure to improves Shropshire’s school funding
“I urge every parent to press their MP on the issue of proper funding. I know Nigel and myself will be doing so when we meet Philip Dunne MP at the end of the week.”