Stockport’s Cabinet Member for Education, Dean Fitzpatrick, has visited a string of Stockport Schools to listen to Headteachers’ concerns as part of ‘Fair Funding Friday’ this October 12th.
The visits come as part of a day of events and activities in Schools seeking to highlight the need for sustainable funding for schools.
As part of this, Cllr Fitzpatrick visited four Headteachers around the Borough of Stockport to speak about how funding issues are impacting upon the educational experience of learners, staffing levels and school buildings. Schools visited included, St. Winifred’s, the Heaton School, Brookside Primary in High Lane, and Vale View in Reddish.
Also lending her support, Stockport MP Ann Coffey visited St Paul’s in Brinnington amid a range of events and activities to mark Fair Funding Friday.
Speaking on the day, Cllr Fitzpatrick said:
“I fully support the calls by Headteachers, teaching staff, governors and families for the Government to provide fair funding for Schools. Investing in our children is an investment in Stockport. Government underfunding in Schools is not only impacting upon the educational experience of our young people but is counterproductive in terms of saving money long-term.
“I have visited many Schools in Stockport in my time as Cabinet Member for Education. The story I hear over and over is teachers constantly having to go yet another extra mile to educate children and keep our schools running.
“I have seen examples of buildings patched up in need of comprehensive repairs, I have seen Schools unable to afford up-to-date technology and overworked teachers.
“This is not the fault of our schools. The Government has slashed school funding by 8% since 2010, and on top of that, the money provided for repairs has been cut by £48million in Stockport alone. The Government told schools to make savings, well the savings have been made. Unless something changes quickly the future is unthinkable.
“We are not being greedy or selfish. All we are calling for is fair funding to give our children a good start in life.
“Skimping on the investment we make in our young people cannot make sense for the Country. We need a Government prepared to invest in the education and skills of the next generation. Teachers are saying enough is enough and it is time the Government sat up took action now.“
ENDS