Crawley MP Henry Smith joined with Parliamentary colleagues and headteachers from across West Sussex at a meeting with the Education Minister, Sam Gyimah MP, in Westminster on Monday 8th February.
Henry said;
“I’m grateful to Grahame Robson, Headteacher at Manor Green College in Ifield, for joining West Sussex MPs and school representatives in continuing to put our case to the Education Minister.
“Last year I organised a Crawley petition on this issue, and was pleased to present this in the House of Commons.
“In November’s Autumn Statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that for the first time there will be a fair, national funding formula.
“I look forward to shortly hearing more from the Education Minister Sam Gyimah, and the Secretary of State for Education, Nicky Morgan, about the upcoming consultation the Government will be running on this matter.”
This was the latest in a series of meetings MPs have held with Ministers. It was interventions from West Sussex MPs that helped ensure the Conservative commitment to reviewing the school funding formula is being implemented with a consultation on the new system imminent.
This was, however, the first occasion on which headteachers were able to emphasise directly to the Minister how vital they believe it is that fairer funding is implemented, and that either the changes take place with the minimum of delay or interim funding is established to bridge to the new formula.
Jeremy Quin, Member of Parliament for Horsham, commented;
“With the Members of Parliament and headteachers working together a very effective case for improved funding was put forward.
“Whilst we have already succeeded in getting the funding formula reviewed, it was useful to be able to reinforce why this is so necessary. It is clearly a tough ask for additional extra funding to bridge through to the new formula, given the tightness of Government finance at present.
“However a formidable case has been made, MPs will continue to push for the best possible result and the Minster has promised to look carefully into the request.”
Attending Members of Parliament:
Tim Loughton MP (East Worthing and Shoreham)
Rt Hon Nick Herbert MP (Arundel and South Downs)
Jeremy Quin MP (Horsham)
Rt Hon Sir Nicholas Soames MP (Mid Sussex)
Henry Smith MP (Crawley)
Attending Head Teachers:
John Gadd (Thomas A Becket Junior School, Worthing)
Jules White (Tanbridge House School, Horsham)
Becky Linford (Upper Beeding Primary School, Upper Beeding)
Grahame Robson (Manor Green College, Crawley)
Mark Anstiss (Felpham College, Felpham)
Nick Taunt (Bishop Luffa School, Chichester)
Edward Rodriguez (Oat Hall Community College, Lindfield)
Caitriona Bull (West Park Primary School, Worthing)
Attending from West Sussex County Council:
Cllr Richard Burrett (Cabinet Member for Education and Skills)
