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Head teachers explain funding protest to parents Head teachers explain funding protest to parents
(about 4 hours later)
Head teachers representing schools across England are writing to parents to explain why they are going on a protest over funding shortages.Head teachers representing schools across England are writing to parents to explain why they are going on a protest over funding shortages.
An "unprecedented" 1,000 head teachers are expected to march in Westminster on Friday, protesting about "unsustainable" budget shortfalls.An "unprecedented" 1,000 head teachers are expected to march in Westminster on Friday, protesting about "unsustainable" budget shortfalls.
They say school budgets have been "slashed" and services are being cut.They say school budgets have been "slashed" and services are being cut.
But the Department for Education says: "There is more money going into schools than ever before."But the Department for Education says: "There is more money going into schools than ever before."
The grassroots campaign by head teachers, from Cornwall to Cumbria, is sending a letter to parents on Wednesday, promising that the protest will be "relentlessly reasonable" and "without any political bias".The grassroots campaign by head teachers, from Cornwall to Cumbria, is sending a letter to parents on Wednesday, promising that the protest will be "relentlessly reasonable" and "without any political bias".
The letter tells parents all protesters at the rally in London will be head teachers.The letter tells parents all protesters at the rally in London will be head teachers.
It is not a union event - but Geoff Barton, leader of the ASCL head teachers' union says such a gathering is unprecedented and "demonstrates the strength of feeling".It is not a union event - but Geoff Barton, leader of the ASCL head teachers' union says such a gathering is unprecedented and "demonstrates the strength of feeling".
'Cut to the bone''Cut to the bone'
The heads say the government's approach to school funding is "simply not good enough".The heads say the government's approach to school funding is "simply not good enough".
They warn of bigger class sizes, staffing cuts, reduced subject choices and a loss of support for special needs and pastoral services.They warn of bigger class sizes, staffing cuts, reduced subject choices and a loss of support for special needs and pastoral services.
The head teachers says they have independent evidence from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, which found that per-pupil funding had fallen in real terms by 8% since 2010.The head teachers says they have independent evidence from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, which found that per-pupil funding had fallen in real terms by 8% since 2010.
The letter, to hundreds of thousands of parents, organised by the Worth Less? campaign, says the protest is being supported by governors and trusts.The letter, to hundreds of thousands of parents, organised by the Worth Less? campaign, says the protest is being supported by governors and trusts.
Many schools have asked parents for financial contributions - and the letter says that "resources are cut to the bone".Many schools have asked parents for financial contributions - and the letter says that "resources are cut to the bone".
"Frequently, we do not have enough money to meet the demands placed on our schools," it says."Frequently, we do not have enough money to meet the demands placed on our schools," it says.
Organiser Jules White, a head teacher in West Sussex, said "moderate and reasonably-minded" head teachers were tired of "desperately searching around for government crumbs to ensure our schools are run effectively".Organiser Jules White, a head teacher in West Sussex, said "moderate and reasonably-minded" head teachers were tired of "desperately searching around for government crumbs to ensure our schools are run effectively".
She said: "We can't do more with so much less." He said: "We can't do more with so much less."
This is the latest stage in a campaign by school leaders, who are keen to garner the support of parents and families, highlighting the dangers of budget shortfalls and the differences in levels of funding between schools.This is the latest stage in a campaign by school leaders, who are keen to garner the support of parents and families, highlighting the dangers of budget shortfalls and the differences in levels of funding between schools.
Education Secretary Damian Hinds has recognised that funding is one of the biggest concerns.Education Secretary Damian Hinds has recognised that funding is one of the biggest concerns.
But the Department for Education has rejected arguments of lack of investment, saying spending is set to reach a record level of £43.5bn by 2020.But the Department for Education has rejected arguments of lack of investment, saying spending is set to reach a record level of £43.5bn by 2020.
A DFE spokeswoman says a new funding formula will bring more cash to schools.A DFE spokeswoman says a new funding formula will bring more cash to schools.
And while the head teachers make their funding-level comparisons with 2010 - the DFE compares funding with 2000 and says there has been a 50% real-terms increase.And while the head teachers make their funding-level comparisons with 2010 - the DFE compares funding with 2000 and says there has been a 50% real-terms increase.
The annual survey of international education published by the OECD showed this year that head teachers in the UK were among the best paid in the world - with only those in Luxembourg earning more.The annual survey of international education published by the OECD showed this year that head teachers in the UK were among the best paid in the world - with only those in Luxembourg earning more.