New school formula will redress balance

I HAVE been acutely aware of the financial pressures schools are under.

I recognise budgets remain tight, and I, parents and teachers, want more cash for schools in our area.

As a former primary teacher myself, I know first-hand what a rewarding job it is. But I also know the challenges teachers and schools face, and that is why I have campaigned consistently and passionately on education issues.

Over the past four years I have lobbied every Chancellor and Education Secretary, for more cash for schools.

Schools in the Stockport are among some of the most poorly funded in the country, and have been for several decades, especially when compared to equivalent schools in inner-city areas.

This is why I supported Government’s move to a new national funding formula, which will help to redress this long running imbalance.

The latest Spending Round, announced by last month the new Chancellor, Sajid Javid, will do exactly that, and will bring about the long-awaited increase school budgets both locally and nationally.

This investment will benefit every school in the country, ensuring that a child with the same needs benefits from the same funding, wherever they happen to live.

Crucially, however, historic underfunding will finally be addressed – with most significant gains for the lowest funded schools.

There are no great schools without great teachers, and this investment offers a pledge to recognise teaching as the high-value profession it is.