Worth Less? Campaign (School Funding Cuts)

Dear Parent / Carer,

Update – School Funding Campaign

First, thank you for the huge support that you gave to Headteachers who campaigned for improved school funding at Westminster on Friday 28 September. Over 2000 head teachers attended in London with many more supporting their actions too.

It is clear from the emails that colleagues and I received that parents overwhelmingly support the need for much improved investment in our schools. As soon as we receive a reply from the chancellor, we will let you know. I am sure everyone will watch with interest to see how he responds to our requests during the Autumn Statement (Budget) on Monday 29 October.

Headteachers across the country hope very much that the Government and the Department for Education, in particular, will stop providing parents and the wider public with misleading information about spending on schools. It is neither helpful nor fair that schools and families are treated in this way and the articles below clearly confirm that this must stop.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-45746062

https://www.tes.com/news/greening-treasury-sees-education-cost-not-investment

The Worth Less? campaign has always used independently sourced evidence and this has given strength to our campaign work. Frankly, it is entirely wrong to suggest that Government spending on schools is much higher than in other comparable countries, when the Department for Education tries to include spending by families on university tuition fees (loans to students) and independent (private) school fees. This adds billions of pounds to headline data but has absolutely no effect on funding for our schools. It is a completely unacceptable way of defending real term cuts.

Parents have also asked how they can support the drive for improved funding. In light of this we are able to let you know that parent groups will be lobbying parliament on 10 October and there will also be a national day of parental action on 19 October. For more information please use the hashtag #parentsteachersuniteon Twitter or Facebook.

We would again like to thank you for your support and confirm that our campaign will remain reasonable and determined with a single goal of ensuring that every school and pupil receive a much better deal in the near future.

Yours sincerely,

Headteacher