Underfunding of Solihull Schools is not ‘Tosh’

Elmdon Councillor Laura McCarthy has expressed her dismay at Julian Knight’s description of school underfunding as ‘Tosh’.

Councillor Laura McCarthy (Elmdon)

​“I was horrified to read Julian Knight describe the subject of School Funding as “tosh” on Twitter this week”, Councillor Laura McCarthy said.
 
Councillor McCarthy was responding to comments on Twitter by the Solihull MP about school funding and his assertion that claims of underfunding were based on “misleading figures”.
 
Councillor McCarthy added, “However flawed the statistics (to which he refers), what is clear to everyone, except for Julian Knight, is that Solihull’s schools are suffering from chronic underfunding.
 
“Headteachers, Teachers, Governing Bodies, School Support Staff, PTAs, and parents have repeatedly warned that Solihull schools are underfunded. 
 
“We have heard from teachers who have paid for pencils from their own pockets, schools that photocopy books for home reading as they just don’t have enough to go around, and from PTA volunteers who are making themselves unwell whilst trying to raise funds for essential resources.
 
“Our children are being disadvantaged by chronic underfunding and schools across Solihull are fighting an uphill battle to ensure that every child is given the best possible start in life. 
 
“I have heard it said by Conservative colleagues that schools should just make more cuts. The truth is, there is nothing left to cut. Solihull schools have been bled dry. What they need is proper funding.
 
“Our schools are in crisis and are screaming for help. “When will the MP who is supposed to represent them listen?  Solihull deserves better."

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