School Funding

FUNDING FOR WORCESTERSHIRE SCHOOLS – 12th October 2012

I am sure you will now be aware from the local media of reports about the proposed funding arrangements for Worcestershire Schools. This was leaked to the press earlier this week. This is still in consultation stage, but if accepted could cause serious consequences for the Evesham pyramid of schools. To provide you with some background, the new funding formula simplifies the existing complex arrangements – a move which is welcome – but it has unintended consequences for the educational landscape of the Evesham area. Specifically, we cannot believe that it is the intention of the government to strip an area such as Evesham of £1.3 m of its funding, when Worcestershire is already one of the worst funded authorities in the country.

My Senior Team together with several governors here at Prince Henry’s, have been proactive on behalf of the Evesham pyramid to try and prevent this consultation becoming a reality. I would like to inform you of the vigorous action we have taken to date to contest the unfair situation which potentially will arise for Evesham children.

I voiced my deep concerns at the Worcester Secondary Heads meeting.

I attended the consultation meeting for this proposal and spoke of the concerns on behalf of the Evesham pyramid.

Representatives of the Governing Body, Caroline Browne (Head of Evesham High School) and I have met with officers from the Local Authority. We have asked for different models of the fair funding formula to be considered.

Caroline Browne and I wrote a joint letter to Peter Luff and Harriet Baldwin as our local MPs voicing our concerns about the funding proposals for the Evesham pyramid.

Peter Luff MP came into Prince Henry’s this Wednesday and I discussed the seriousness of these proposals with him. He was very supportive of our concerns regarding the situation we are facing.

I attended a meeting yesterday in Birmingham organised by the Department for Education and they have agreed to further investigate the effect that these proposals are having on the Evesham pyramid.

Steve Butcher (Chairman of Governors) has written a letter to Michael Gove. This has also been sent to Peter Luff and Harriet Baldwin.

As you can imagine, the last few weeks have been extremely busy, and I have been in close contact with the Headteachers of St Egwin’s Middle School, Bredon Hill Middle School and Evesham High. We all share the same philosophy about the unfairness here, and they have also been proactive in voicing their concerns on behalf of their schools. I have also been contacted by Heads and Chairs of Governors from schools outside of the Evesham pyramid who will also suffer as a result of these funding changes.

Finally, please be confident that we are doing all we can to ensure that the Evesham pyramid does not suffer greatly as a result of these new funding arrangements. Despite the news and speculation that is appearing in the local media please rest assured that here at Prince Henry’s, we will continue to maintain provision for a first class education for your children. If you wish to support us as parents, please contact the local councillors, MPs, the local press and even the Local Authority to voice your concerns about this situation.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely

Dr A A L Evans
Headteacher
And on behalf of:

Mr S Butcher
Chairman of Governors
Prince Henry’s High School