CONSERVATIVE
New Forest East

BUSINESS QUESTION – SCHOOL FUNDING - 28 October 2004

BUSINESS QUESTION – SCHOOL FUNDING - 28 October 2004

Dr Julian Lewis: May we have a statement or debate on the funding of secondary education? Such a statement or debate would give me the opportunity to bring before the House the views of a highly respected head teacher, Mr. Robert Underwood, of Hardley School and Sixth Form College in my constituency, who said in a recent newsletter:

"A few years ago, under Grant Maintained Status, our school was financially secure ... In recent years, we have seen those advantages evaporate ... The extra money which the Government is giving to schools is only given to specialist schools, city schools, failing schools, mismanaged schools or reorganising schools, so we don't get any."

What have the Government to say to those people who carry on doing a good job in mainstream comprehensive schools and find their financial resources squeezed more and more tightly?