When I was informed by Fulbourn Primary School that it was to have a half school day on Wednesdays from the start of the new school year in September I spoke with the education team at Cambridgeshire County Council as the Local Education Authority to see if there was anything they could do given that Fulbourn continues to be a grant maintained school. 

Unfortunately the Government has greatly reduced the powers that the Local Education Authority has even over schools that continue be grant maintained and that the day to day operation of the school is now in the hands of the headteacher/s and the school governing body.  And I wouldn’t wish to take that from them.

The situation the school finds itself in is the result of Government pupil funding failing to keep up not just with inflation but also other costs such as increased staff salaries and pension contributions and the apprenticeship tax.  Sadly schools all over England are having to take these measures; some are taking the route that Fulbourn has in reducing teaching hours while others have reduced teachers and increased class sizes.

This is clearly a disgrace and is harming the future of children in state schools in achieving their full potential as well as bringing upset and more expense for working parents and guardians.

Meanwhile wearing my district council hat as Leader Cabinet Member for Finance at South Cambridgeshire District Council  I have asked our Revenue and Benefits Team to ensure that in helping families on low incomes that where they qualify they sign up their children for free school meals upon which is based the amount of Pupil Premium funding that the school receives.  I understand this funding has fallen at Fulbourn which has contributed to its financial shortfall.