Head teachers take their case for better funding to secretary of state

East Cambridgeshire head teachers joined Sir Jim Paice in a meeting with the new Secretary of State for Education, Nicky Morgan, to continue to press their case for more funding for Cambridgeshire schools.

Attending the meeting with Sir Jim, and Lucy Frazer, the Conservative candidate for South East Cambridgeshire, were the head teachers from Bottisham Village College, Ely College, Impington Village College, Linton Village College, Soham Village College, Witchford Village College as well as Philip Hodgson, chair of the Cambridgeshire Schools Forum.

All the head teachers expressed their concern at the effect that years of underfunding was having upon their schools and their frustration at the disparity between their available resources in comparison with schools in other counties.

Cambridgeshire has been one of the lowest funded authorities in the country in recent years. Further funding of £20.5million was announced by the Government in March but concern remains for the situation beyond 2015/16.

Sir Jim said: “This is an absolutely critical issue for our local schools who are simply seeking a level playing field in terms of funding.

“We have been languishing at the bottom of the funding table for too long. Our schools are doing a fantastic job with the resources they have, but could do even better if they were funded at a level more comparable with schools in other counties.”

Lucy Frazer said “I will be lobbying continuously for a fairer funding formula to ensure that Cambridgeshire children get the best possible education to enable them to have the greatest possible opportunities for the future.”