Recently meetings have been held across Islington schools about cuts to the education budget. On Wednesday 24 May at Newington Green school a variety of speakers outlined the emergency that is unfolding in education. Speakers included Abi Misselbrook-Lovejoy (Head teacher, Newington Green School), Richard Watts (Leader, Islington Council) Madeleine Holt(Rescue Our Schools) Christine Blower(Former General Secretary, NUT).
It was explained that if current plans for education are allowed to go ahead, spending on England’s schools will be cut by £3.5 billion by 2019,with the result that 99% of schools nationally will have their funding reduced. In Islington, these cuts will amount to nearly £15 million–or more than £700 per pupil – leading to fewer teachers and support staff, larger classes, fewer subject choices and fewer after-school activities.
Head teachers across Islington are extremely worried and have recently met to discuss looming budget cuts. For example free music provision has just been cut for our Year 4, 5 and Year 6 pupils. It could also mean that our head teacher and deputy head are taken away from the daily management of St Mark’s school to cover for an absence of class teachers.
A good source of information for parents is http://www.fairfundingforallschools.org/
Parents in Hackney are organising a meeting in Clissold Park called the ‘Big Assembly’ at 4pm on Friday 26 May – it is open to any parents who would like to become more involved with campaigning around these issues.