How does Shropshire do it?

Daniel Kawcznski, M.P. for Shrewsbury, is about to take on Parliament!

He has discovered that Shropshire is badly under funded in terms of grants towards education in the county. (Telford and Wrekin fares better, as the Government regards it as a deprived area.) In fact with funding at £3,551 per child, it benefits as 145 our of 149 LEAs - virtually bottom in the amount it receives. The national average is £3,888, while the City of London receives £7,090, or almost twice per child that Shropshire receives.

But within the Shropshire figure generally junior schools fare worse and secondary schools better, reflecting the greater need for staff specialisation smaller classes and equipment. Daniel was invited into one primary school in Shrewsbury, which was bottom nationally for funding, receiving only £2,409 per child compared with the national average of £3,120 for primary children, or about 23% less! The consequence for the school is that it is unable to buy essential books or to give adequate care individual care to children with particular needs and problems.

This is something of a disgrace, and reflects the concern of Labour with its heartland and votes in the name of deprivation. The Shire counties contribute disproportionately more to government revenue, but pockets in them are in danger of receiving poor education facilities, despite the heroic efforts of the staff, - all the name of re-distribution!

Brian R.