The Member of Parliament for North Wiltshire, James Gray joined, George Croxford, Ralph Plummer and Tim Gilson, the Head Teachers of Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, Abbeyfield School and Malmesbury School this Wednesday, to meet with Nick Gibb, the Minister of State for Education. Together they highlighted the issues currently facing North Wiltshire schools, specifically the difficulties caused by PFI, as well as focusing on school funding.

James Gray MP said:

“It was great to welcome the Head Teachers from local North Wiltshire Schools to Parliament to discuss the pressures that schools are currently facing. All three of these schools are outstanding; they deliver excellent results and produce well-rounded young adults. It is only right that they are provided with the resources they need to continue this excellent work.

I thought it was a productive meeting, and I was glad that the Head Teachers had an opportunity to share their concerns with the Minister. I will ask officials at the Department of Education to look into the specific PFI issues raised.”

Nick Gibb, Minister of State for Education had previously written to James about this issue, and stated that:

“While there is more money going into our schools than ever before, we recognise the budgeting challenges schools face and that we are asking them to do more. Spending plans beyond 2019-20 will be set at the next Spending Review, and whilst we cannot pre-empt these decisions, we are committed to securing the right deal for education.”