Haringey leaders' joint cry: 'Do not ignore our pupils' funding needs'

12:13pm Thursday 5th November 2009

By Elizabeth Pears

A DESPERATE plea to the Government for fairer funding for Haringey schools who receive up to £1,200 less per pupil than neighbouring boroughs was launched at parliament last night.

Ministers were urged to hear the united cries of cross-party MPs, councillors, headteachers, school governors and parents and not ignore the needs of Haringey schools when they review the current funding system for schools the Dedicated School Grant Area Review.

In 2007, Haringey was ranked as the fifth most deprived London borough but the level of per pupil funding it receives is ranked 15th out of 33 local authorities because it is considered an outer London borough.

However, the Government advises that its teachers should be paid inner London wages to reflec the complexities of the job and high living costs.

If pupils received the same funding as Hackney, who a demographics and educational challenges mirror those of Haringey, the borough's schools would be £39.8 million richer this year.

And shock findings in a Freedom of Information request revealed that 27 Haringey schools, almost a third, are predicted to end the year in deficit.

Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone who has been championing the cause since 2007, secured an adjournment debate with Diana Johnson MP appealing to her to make funds immediately available to help address the anomoly and to stop Haringey schools from falling further into debt.

The Labour minister made assurances that Haringey's situation would be taken into account but said making interim additional funding available would "destabilise the current system" adding schools should be well aware of how much they had to spend until 2011 based on budget indicators.

The debate heard that Woodside High, in White Hart Lane, has been unable to replace members of staff to stave off a deficit and Fortismere School, in Creighton Avenue, had not replaced its truancy officer for the same reason.

Ms Featherstone said: "Our teachers have done a fantastic job in raising attainment year upon year in Haringey against the odds. Their work should not be undermined by continuous underfunding. If the Government do not get funding right in 2011, it will be another three years before we can make our case again.

Councillor Gail Engert, opposition spokesman for children and young people, said: "Our campaign is on the radar now. Ministers cannot say they have not heard us.

"This is thanks to tireless campaigning from Lynne Featherstone with the support of David Lammy, Haringey Council, Haringey NUT, school governors and parents. For once we can all stand together and ask for the same thing and putting the needs of our children at the centre."

Defending his party, Tottenham MP David Lammy said Haringey school children had "benefited enormously from increased Government spending in schools".

But he added: "I want more than just that for pupils in our borough. If we are to continue raising standards and results, especially in Tottenham, we need more resources, and I am fully committed to the fight to secure them.

“It is unacceptable that our pupils receive less funding than those from other equivalent boroughs. So I will continue campaigning and supporting Haringey Council, local teachers, parents, governors and the NUT in their pursuit for the fair funding that our pupils deserve.”

Mr Lammy has now secured a meeting between a Government minister from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), Claire Kober, leader of Haringey Council and representatives from Haringey National Union of Teachers (NUT) to press the issue.

For more information about the campaign visit www.fairdealforharingeychildren.org