Editorial 11/07/2019

Dear Parents,

In November 2018 school leaders across Barnet raised their concerns about the level of school funding, and the threat this poses to us in securing the high quality provision our students deserve.

Since then I, along with other school leaders and governors from many Barnet schools, have written letters to, and met with, local and national politicians to make the case for increased funding.

Unfortunately, the situation has not improved and I am now asking parents to join me in taking action to press for change.

Whilst we hear claims about budgets being protected, in reality, we are all facing cuts. Research from the social mobility charity The Sutton Trust shows that schools have lost out on funding of £5.4 billion since 2015 and that 91% of schools have had their funding cut.

Additionally, independent research shows that secondary schools should be receiving £6,200 per student in order to provide a good education, (not even a strong or great education). Barnet secondary schools receive an average of £4,800 per student. Furthermore, 70 school sixth forms have shut across the country since 2015 as a result of funding pressures; it is a decline that is set to increase.

To balance Hasmonean Multi-Academy Trust’s budget in future years, we have implemented a number of cost-saving measures.

A government Spending Review is due to take place soon. Although there is uncertainty around this due to the Conservative Party leadership elections and Brexit matters, now is the time to ensure our local MPs put education at the top of their agendas.

It is for this reason that Barnet headteachers are now collectively turning to our parent bodies to ask for help.

We would like as many of you as possible to write to local MPs Mike Freer and Dr Matthew Offord to express your concerns surrounding school funding, and to ask them to press for school budgets to be increased.

Their contact details are:

Mike Freer, MP. House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
mike.freer.mp@parliament.uk

Dr Matthew Offord, MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
matthew.offord.mp@parliament.uk.

I thank you in advance for your support.

With kind regards,

Mr A McClusky
CEO Hasmonean MAT