Parents speak out over school funding

FUNDING FIGHT: A demonstration took place in Mell Square last month.

PARENTS in North Solihull are being urged to get behind a campaign which was set up amid concerns about a squeeze on school budgets.
The action-group Fair Funding for Solihull Schools has warned that growing pressures are forcing headteachers to make cuts to key services.
As it stands, borough schools are looking at an £11million reduction in their annual budget by 2019, which works out at around a £357 cut per pupil per year.
Mums and dads locally are pressing politicians to ensure that sufficient funding is made available and last month a demonstration to draw attention to the issue was held in Mell Square.
Jeni Mills, a parent-governor and member of the action-group, has said that the role local communities have to play in highlighting the challenges should not be underestimated.
Speaking to Other Side of Solihull, she said that the current situation was putting significant strain on services both locally and nationwide.
“Eighty per cent of school budgets go on staffing costs, so inevitably when cuts come it means that the number of teaching assistants, for instance, is likely to fall,” she said.
“Then there are obviously other very important services which will be put at risk, from sports coaching to music tuition. We feel very strongly that education is a right not a privilege. Schools should be properly funded because every child deserves the same opportunities and start in life.”
The funding crisis has caused concerns around country, with thousands of heads having written to parents to highlight the challenges they face and urging them to press Parliamentary candidates for answers during the General Election campaign.
The Government had previously outlined changes to the formula which determines how much money is made available, although some have argued the proposed reforms will create problems in themselves.
• If you’d like to get involved with Fair Funding for Solihull Schools, you can contact them via their Facebook group.