THE LONG-RUNNING issue of school funding in Worcestershire was on the timetable when Pershore’s MP Harriett Baldwin met with the Schools Minister Nick Gibb to discuss issues about county schools and in particular the challenges of operating in rural areas.
The MP met with a delegation of local head teachers last month and pledged to write both to the Department for Education and the Chancellor raising their concerns and met with the Schools Standards Minister to air their views.
Although Worcestershire schools have been handed £323.3million for the next academic year, schools have faced extra costs including national insurance payments for teachers’ pensions.
Mr Gibb wrote to Mrs Baldwin confirmed school funding had risen for the three schools who met with her – per pupils funding is rising by 3.5 per cent at The Chase, 5.7 per cent at Hanley Castle High School and 4.7 per cent at Dyson Perrins Academy.
“I have had some detailed discussions with head teachers about cost pressures and passed on their concerns to my colleagues in Whitehall,” Mrs Baldwin said.
“I have always supported the national efforts to deliver a fairer funding formula for Worcestershire schools and I will continue to press for the best budget deal whenever I can.”
