PRESS RELEASE

21 May 2003

4-DAY WEEK AT EDENHAM ONLY TIP OF THE ICEBERG SAYS OTTAWAY

Richard Ottaway, Conservative MP for Croydon South has said that the 4-day week at Edenham High School in Croydon is only the tip of the iceberg in the crisis affecting Croydon school.

Richard Ottaway says:-

"A number of Croydon schools are in serious financial difficulty. The Government's response is to permit spending next year's maintenance budget - this is simply mortgaging the future. Many schools will have to make severe cutbacks regardless.

• Coulsdon High School will be increasing class sizes and reducing the number of periods taught each week in key subjects such as English, Maths and IT.
• Woodcote High School is increasing Key Stage 3 class sizes and reducing choice for Key Stage 4 whilst essential roof repairs are put on hold.
• Coloma Girls School, facing even worse problems, are cutting classes and has asked parents to make up the shortfall, yet again
• The length and breadth of Croydon sees schools setting deficit budgets.

"At the root of this shambles is inadequate funding from Central Government and the decision of Croydon Council to only passport 90% of this years increase in the education budget siphoning off £1.7 million for other schemes.

"The Labour Government is blaming the Labour Council and the Council is blaming the Government. Meanwhile Croydon's children are caught in the crossfire.

Ends.

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