(UK) N. Yorkshire: 200 schools warn of "funding shortfalls"/'difficult choices'

Mar 4, 2019, (UK) Yorkshire Post: Yorkshire schools plea ahead of Westminster debate https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/education/yorkshire-schools-plea-ahead-of-westminster-debate-1-9627149 …Nearly 200 schools in North Yorkshire have sent letters to parents, reaching more than 60,000 homes, warning of funding shortfalls and “difficult choices” they face. It comes ahead of a debate to be held in Parliament today, after a petition set up by headteachers in Gateshead secured more than the required 100,000 signatures to force a hearing. “Children only get one chance at their education and the current funding crisis means this generation of young people in North Yorkshire are not getting the education they deserve,” warned Chris Knowles, headteacher at Newby and Scalby Primary School in Scarborough and North Yorkshire branch secretary for the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT)…. “We welcome the debate in Parliament as we have long called on the Government to recognise that there is insufficient funding in North Yorkshire for schools funding and special educational needs and disabilities funding,” said Coun Patrick Mulligan, executive member for schools. “School reserves are reducing and this reflects the reality of pressure on public sector funding.” Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said the Government has acknowledged that budgets are under pressure, with demands costing more. They cannot have failed to notice a steady procession of school leaders, governors and parents campaigning on the issue, he adds.