EDUCATION SECRETARY DAVID

BLUNKETT SPEAKS TO

SHUTTLE/TIMES & NEWS READERS

"I KNOW education is an important priority in Wyre Forest just as it is a top priority for this Government.

It's why we have put so much effort and record investment into helping pupils, teachers and parents to improve standards in our schools.

And they have risen remarkably to the challenge with real improvements right across Worcestershire - in numeracy and literacy and with the best ever GCSE and A-levels results in the county's history.

I'm proud of what's been achieved. But I also know how much more needs to be done.

So I understand the concern of local parents and teachers who believe that their schools are losing out because of the long-standing controversy over the funding formula for local government.

I can assure Shuttle/Times & News readers that I - and the Government - are well aware of the concerns here about the funding formula.

It's one of the reasons why the Government is examining seriously how we can make sure that funding in future is as fair as possible.

What I also know is, whatever the problems, that Worcestershire is enjoying record investment in its schools.

Worcestershire's schools should receive £250 more per pupil this year, adjusted for inflation, than in 1997-98. And that does not include record spending on repairs and buildings.

So far the county has received nearly £12 million for vital repairs and renovation under the New Deal for Schools - with more to come.

It's investment, for instance, which has meant three new classrooms at Bewdley High, and new nurseries at St Mary's and Wilden First schools among others - as well as helping complete the sixth form block at King Charles I High School.

And the extra money has enabled the extra teachers to be recruited and classrooms built to cut the number of infants in classes of over 30 pupils in Worcestershire from over 3,000 three years ago to less than 300 last term.

Every school has had more money for books and computers. And the head of a typical middle or high school in Wyre Forest will receive around £50, 000 this year to spend on their school's priorities."