CAMPAIGNERS fighting for a fairer funding deal for Cambridgeshire’s schools have welcomed the announcement by Chancellor George Osborne that a new funding system will be in place from 2015.
Cambridgeshire County Council is currently the worst-funded authority in the country for schools and head teachers and MPs - including Sir Jim Paice - have been campaigning to redress the balance and secure millions more for the county’s schools
The Cambridgeshire Schools Forum – chaired by Bottisham Village College chair of governors Philip Hodgson – has been leading the campaign, supported by Cambridgeshire County Council, academies and maintained schools and the region’s MPs.
The Chancellor announced in his Spending Review on Wednesday that a national funding formula for schools would be in place for the year 2015-16.
Cllr David Harty, the county council’s cabinet member for education and learning said: “We are delighted that the continuing lobbying of the Cambridgeshire Schools’ Forum, county councillors and local MPs has finally resulted in a firm commitment to address the low funding issues that have faced Cambridgeshire’s schools for far too long.
“Although we recognise there is still a long way to go for complete equity across the country, the move to introduce a national funding formula from 2015/16 provides some light at the end of the tunnel.”
Philip Hodgson, chair of the Cambridgeshire Schools’ Forum added: “This is very welcome news, and we are extremely grateful for support we have had from head teachers, governors and parents.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here