Politicians are set to be quizzed on funding cuts to schools across Haringey in a series of Question Time style evenings.
Parents across the borough have been mobilising to make sure that whoever forms the next government funds Haringey schools “fairly and adequately”.
The borough’s schools are facing cuts of £24.4 million by 2019/20, the equivalent of £743 less being spent on pupils annually.
Hornsey and Wood Green parliamentary candidates Catherine West (Labour), Dawn Barnes (Lib Dems) and Emma Lane (Con) will be joined by Fair Funding for All Schools campaign co-founder Joanna Yurky on Wednesday, from 7.30pm at St Mary’s Primary School in Hornsey.
Jo Yurky, who has two daughters at Rhodes Avenue Primary School, said: “More than 41,000 people have signed our national petition, parent groups have sprung up across the country, and we have delivered thousands of postcards to the Department for Education.
“We won’t rest until we’ve made sure all schools are funded fairly and no schools face any cuts to their funding. When parents speak, politicians listen – and the election is a golden opportunity to ensure our voices are heard.”
Event co-organiser Charley Allan, who has two children in Highgate schools, added: “The general election is a good opportunity to put school funding and other education issues centre stage. Parents want to know if their schools will have sufficient funding after the election.
“Whichever party – or parties – form the next government, parents will hold them to account for the state of our schools. We will keep up the pressure to ensure all schools in all parts of the country are properly funded, so all our children can access the high-quality education they are entitled to.”
Then on Monday, May 22, Tottenham candidates including David Lammy (Labour) and Brian Haley (Lib Dems) will debate the school funding crisis and other topics at Earlsmead Primary School from 7.30pm.
Tottenham parent Sarah Williams, a parent of three children in Haringey schools, will also join the panel.
She said: “Schools have faced cuts in real terms for three consecutive years – there are no more ‘efficiencies’ to be made. The further cuts that are coming down the track can only signal teachers and teaching assistants losing their jobs, larger class sizes and our children’s futures blighted.
“The children who need additional support, such as those with special educational needs, will suffer the brunt of these cuts. Vital services, such as careers advice, will simply disappear.”
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