Headteachers from Poole Schools Meet with Charles Kennedy to Discuss Education Funding in Poole

6.00.00pm GMT Mon 12th Jan 2004

A group of headteachers from schools in Poole today held talks with Charles Kennedy in order to highlight their concerns regarding this year's poor financial settlement for Poole's Local Education Authority (LEA).

Headteachers and Officials from Poole with MP meeting Charles Kennedy

Arranged by Annette Brooke, Lib Dem MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, the meeting sought to outline the major problems facing schools in Poole given the continuous low funding allocated to the Borough in recent years.

Poole schools receive some of the very lowest funding per pupil in the country, currently 146th out of 150 LEAs. Overall for primary education, Poole's schools are the lowest funded in the country.

Headteachers told Charles Kennedy of the council's problems overcoming such long term shortages in funding and their fears for the future. By raising their concerns to as many people as possible, it is hoped that with the ongoing support of the local MPs, additional pressure can be put on the government.

Poole Borough Council has long managed the shortages in funding per pupil, and local schools have consistently achieved excellent results in spite of the low funding per pupil.

Councils have ensured that education funding was a priority, but this is becoming ever more difficult as pressures on the level of Council Tax have reached limits of acceptability among the public. Teachers now admit that students and teachers will soon suffer irrevocably if funding levels per student do not improve.

Children are not receiving the education they deserve, as many head teachers are unable to afford the services of teaching assistants or supply teachers.

Annette Brooke MP commented:

"The percentage increase promised this year on Poole's very low base is pitiful. The gap continues to widen between Poole and other authorities. We have the same costs as elsewhere, such as teachers' salaries, and current funding is simply not enough."

Headteachers, Council officers and local MPs for Poole and North Poole will meet David Miliband, Minister of State for Education Standards on Wednesday 14th January.