Call for Shropshire Council to act over school funding

Shropshire Councillor Andrew Bannerman, who represents Coton Hill and Quarry for Shrewsbury, has asked the authority to write to the Government following the recent changes.

Last week it was revealed the Government had abandoned plans to force all schools to become academies by 2022.

In a motion which will be discussed at next week's Shropshire Council meeting, Councillor Bannerman urges the authority to submit a letter addressing the current plans.

He said: "This council regards the Government's pressure on schools to become academies as misconceived and a waste of precious funds.

"Despite the recent U-turn on 'blanket' academisation, the education secretary is clearly committed to the original policy, which is based on ideology rather than evidence, and shows no understanding of the situation of small rural schools.

"This council therefore asks the chief executive to write to the Government, asking them to abandon this policy and instead divert some of the cost of implementing it into supporting small rural schools.

"A copy should be sent to all Shropshire MPs, asking them to support this request."

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan dropped the plans following a backlash from teachers, parents and councils but said it still remains a "determination" .

Instead of forcing the move it will now encourage schools to become academies.

Councillor Bannerman added: "The whole project is going to cost money and money is in very tight supply.

"Surely it would be better to bring real benefit to pupils rather than forcing on them a kind of structural change which may or may not have a difference."

He said it was also important to set out and make clear which schools may be affected in the project, and what the criteria would be.

The move was welcomed across the county last week.

The motion will be discussed at a full meeting of Shropshire Council on Thursday.

The meeting will take place at Shirehall at 10am.