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Head teachers protest at Downing Street funding rally | Head teachers protest at Downing Street funding rally |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Hundreds of head teachers from England and Wales are due to attend a rally in central London later, to demand extra funding for schools. | Hundreds of head teachers from England and Wales are due to attend a rally in central London later, to demand extra funding for schools. |
They will meet in Parliament Square before delivering a letter to No 11 Downing Street, amid concerns over work conditions and overcrowded classrooms. | They will meet in Parliament Square before delivering a letter to No 11 Downing Street, amid concerns over work conditions and overcrowded classrooms. |
The heads quote the Institute of Fiscal Studies' claim that per pupil funding has fallen 8% in real terms since 2010. | The heads quote the Institute of Fiscal Studies' claim that per pupil funding has fallen 8% in real terms since 2010. |
The government says school funds will rise to a record £43.5bn by 2020. | The government says school funds will rise to a record £43.5bn by 2020. |
And ministers argue a new funding formula will bring more cash to schools. | And ministers argue a new funding formula will bring more cash to schools. |
But heads are warning of: | But heads are warning of: |
Teaching union members, parents and staff have taken part in numerous protests about the budget squeeze over the past few years. | Teaching union members, parents and staff have taken part in numerous protests about the budget squeeze over the past few years. |
This rally is different as it is entirely made up of the people usually running schools and helping to set their budgets. | This rally is different as it is entirely made up of the people usually running schools and helping to set their budgets. |
Organiser and West Sussex head teacher Jules White said those coming on the rally were "joined by a common desire - and in many cases desperation" to see their schools fairly and adequately funded. | Organiser and West Sussex head teacher Jules White said those coming on the rally were "joined by a common desire - and in many cases desperation" to see their schools fairly and adequately funded. |
'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 wrote to parents across the country earlier this week to explain their absence in school. | They wrote to parents across the country earlier this week to explain their absence in school. |
The leaders of both the National Association of Head Teachers and the Association of School and College Leaders are attending the protest. | |
Ascl leader Geoff Barton said the planned gathering was unprecedented and "demonstrates the strength of feeling". | |
NAHT leader Paul Whiteman said head teachers were not really "the marching type" and if they were protesting, something must "seriously wrong". | |
This is the latest push in a campaign by school leaders to highlight the dangers of budget shortfalls and the different funding levels between schools. | This is the latest push in a campaign by school leaders to highlight the dangers of budget shortfalls and the different funding levels between schools. |
Education Secretary Damian Hinds has recognised that funding is one of the biggest concerns in his brief. | Education Secretary Damian Hinds has recognised that funding is one of the biggest concerns in his brief. |
A Department for Education spokesman said: "There is more money going into schools than ever before, rising to a record £43.5bn by 2020 - 50% more in real terms per pupil than in 2000. | |
"The OECD has recently confirmed that the UK is the third highest spender on education in the world, spending more per pupil than countries including Germany, Australia and Japan. | "The OECD has recently confirmed that the UK is the third highest spender on education in the world, spending more per pupil than countries including Germany, Australia and Japan. |
"Every school attracts more funding per pupil through the National Funding Formula, high needs funding has risen to over £6bn this year, and the 3.5% pay rise we announced for classroom teachers on the main pay range is backed by £508m government funding. | "Every school attracts more funding per pupil through the National Funding Formula, high needs funding has risen to over £6bn this year, and the 3.5% pay rise we announced for classroom teachers on the main pay range is backed by £508m government funding. |
"We know that we are asking schools to do more, which is why we are helping them to reduce the £10bn spent each year on non-staffing costs, providing government-backed deals for things like printers and energy suppliers that are helping to save millions of pounds." | "We know that we are asking schools to do more, which is why we are helping them to reduce the £10bn spent each year on non-staffing costs, providing government-backed deals for things like printers and energy suppliers that are helping to save millions of pounds." |
But shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said: "This unprecedented action by head teachers is a clear sign of the desperate struggle they now face to provide a decent education while balancing the books." | But shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said: "This unprecedented action by head teachers is a clear sign of the desperate struggle they now face to provide a decent education while balancing the books." |
The head teachers taking part in the protest are from areas including: | The head teachers taking part in the protest are from areas including: |