Lib Dem success as Surrey agrees to oppose school cuts but headteacher warns of 4-day week
Liberal Democrat Councillors have successfully called for Surrey County Council to oppose the Government's funding proposals which could leave schools in Surrey with a £37m hole in their budgets by 2019/20.
It follows the release of a letter from a Surrey Headteacher warning his local Conservative MP that schools in Surrey may be forced to implement a 4-day week.
Cllr Will Forster, who moved the motion at a Council meeting yesterday, said:
"I am delighted that the County Council is speaking with one voice and asking Government to ensure that schools in Surrey are properly funded in the years to come. I am however deeply concerned to hear that schools in Surrey are contemplating moving to a four-day teaching week. This would be a disaster for pupils, robbing them of crucial learning time and having a hugely negatively affect on their academic achievements.
"I am calling on Surrey residents to back my petition on school funding (https://SignMe.org.uk/1325) so that we can send a message loud and clear to the Government - that a four day teaching week and a £37m funding black hole are totally unacceptable and we will fight to make sure that every school in Surrey has the resources it needs".
NOTES
Images of the letter from the Surrey headteacher can be found here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/146827888@N06/albums/72157681706362515
The wording of Cllr's Forster, which was passed unanimously, can be found here, Agenda Item 8 (b):
https://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=121&MId=5096&Ver=4
The link to the school funding petition can be found here: