Mark Garnier MP and seven head teachers at Wyre Forest schools met with a senior education minister this week to make the case for funding in local schools. The meeting on Tuesday was organised by Mark Garnier in the wake of the Government’s decision to scrap the £120 million Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme in Wyre Forest; a programme widely deemed as too complex and bureaucratic.
He and seven head teachers met with Lord Jonathan Hill, Parliamentary under Secretary and State for Schools, to highlight the state of schools in Wyre Forest before the Comprehensive Spending Review on the 20th October.
Mark Garnier said “The purpose of our visit was to put forward as good a case as we possibly can on behalf of our schools. We also wanted to learn what is important with regard the criteria that will be used in allocation of what will be a limited budget.”
Lord Hill made it clear during the meeting that no promises could be made with regard to funding. However, he told the heads that the criteria used to decide who gets what include dilapidation and capacity. Mark said that the head teachers made a very strong case for both of these criteria and “Lord Hill certainly agreed”.
Further action will now be for the Worcester County Council to put forward Wyre Forest’s needs again, reinforcing the two criteria on behalf of the area. It was arranged during the meeting that the council officers will work with Lord Hill’s civil servants, whilst Mark Garnier continues to work with Lord Hill and the Department of Education.
Mark Garnier made the point that both sides are working hard for this but that expectations must not be raised after the financial legacy of the last government.
Mark also added, “On a personal note, I was very struck by the passion that all the heads show for their schools – not just today, but in all the visits I have had over the last few months. They are an incredible group of people and Wyre Forest is the better for their single minded dedication.”
“We will keep on working through this and do our best to get a resolution.”