Today Mark Garnier, MP for Wyre Forest, and fellow Worcestershire MPs took head teachers from around the county to meet with Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for Schools.
The meeting was an opportunity for the head teachers to raise their concerns about the fact that Worcestershire is in serious need of a fairer funding system. Items also on the agenda were the English Bacculaureate, league tables and the process of academy conversions.
Mark, who has been campaigning for a fairer funding formula since before he was elected, said,
“I was delighted that our county’s head teachers were able to take their concerns right to the top of the Department for Education. It is vital that we have investment in our schools locally because if we continue being so unfair to Worcestershire's pupils, we will continue to lock some places into permanent under-achievement.
“This meeting today illustrates that the government is listening to us on this issue and I am confident that they will deliver on their promise of a fairer funding system. However, until that day comes, my fellow Worcestershire MPs and I will be keeping up the pressure for them to do so.”
Those also at the meeting included Robin Walker MP for Worcester, Karen Lumley MP for Redditch, Clive Corbett, Principal of Pershore High School, Marion Barton of Tinity High School Redditch, Rob Chadwick of the Continu Trust, Debra Andrews, Director of the South Worcestershire Network of Schools and Colleges, Sue Ballard of North Bromsgrove High School and Paul Topping of South Bromsgrove High School.