School funding - Thangam Debbonaire

Broken testing system risking Bristol children’s education

A number of teachers, parents and carers from across the constituency have been in touch to warn that delays in COVID testing and problems receiving results are affecting Bristol children’s education, leading to staff shortages and pupils needlessly isolating. I’ve written to the heads of all schools in Bristol West,…

The Digital Divide: How disadvantaged students have been let down

As students all over the country return to school, we cannot forget that not all of those returning will do so on an equal footing. ‘The Digital Divide’ is one of the many issues that COVID-19 has highlighted within modern Britain. Disparities in internet access, especially for the elderly and…

Students have been let down by the government’s A-level failure

Congratulations to all Bristol students getting their A-level results this week. This situation is far from ideal, but I had hope you all feel your hard work has been recognised and you get what you need to move forward. Unfortunately, there are many of you who feel robbed by this…

COVID-19 and education: My letter to the Secretary of State

I am working to collate the concerns of people in Bristol West and put them to the relevant ministers. Below is a letter I have sent to the Secretary of State for Education, requesting that he consider some of the consequences of the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis:

Support for inner-city primary schools

Yesterday I asked the government about its strategy for school places. In some areas of Bristol, families are moving further out due to the high price of rent and the lack of open space. I believe many of these changes affecting schools could be anticipated and planned for in the…

Standing up for school funding

Schools in Bristol West are still suffering from budget cuts, even though the government continues to insist that their budgets have increased. In real terms, the opposite is true. The government’s misleading statements on school budgets have been criticised by a range of experts, including the Institute for Fiscal Studies…

Will the government reverse cuts to special needs education?

Properly-funded special needs support could help pupils at risk of exclusion. Almost half of school pupils excluded have identified Special Educational Needs, according to a review of school exclusion published yesterday. From speaking to parents, teachers, pupils and school staff, it is clear that schools in Bristol need more money…

Bristol schools deserve better than this government’s cuts

This week, I condemned the government again on their shameful refusal to admit they have delivered real terms cuts to school budgets in Bristol West. I am so inspired by the excellent schools in Bristol, but I am so angry that teachers and staff are being asked to do more…

Efficiencies will not solve the school funding crisis

Headteachers of maintained nurseries, primary and secondary schools across Bristol West tell me that – despite what the government says – the solution to the school funding crisis cannot come from making further ‘efficiencies’. There is simply nothing left to cut. I’m outraged that the government is passing the buck…

Special needs funding for schools is inadequate

School children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) deserve the same opportunities as all others – yet the government have cut the funding available to schools to help these children learn. Today I confronted Secretary of State for Education Damian Hinds. His answer referred to an emergency funding package…

The Prime Minister’s maths on school cuts don’t add up

Even primary school children are likely to be able to see the problems with the Prime Minister’s maths. Today I confronted Prime Minister Theresa May with analysis from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), which showed education funding per pupil has fallen 8% on the Tories’ watch. This further…