3 Feb 2010 - Press Letter: Pupil Premium
The rising demand for Primary school places in Bristol (EP front page, 1st February) highlights the need for ongoing investment in education.
On Monday the Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg MP highlighted new proposals which would make a huge difference to primary schools in Bristol - enabling schools in the poorest parts of our city to cut class sizes from an average of 27 to 20.
A typical primary school in Bristol has just over 400 pupils. With an average number of children eligible for free school meals, this school could see an extra £180,000 in its budget per year.
This would be paid for by reform of tax credits and administrative savings in the Department for Education.
Unlike the other parties the Liberal Democrats are proposing new money for schools, and have said how we would pay for it.
This investment would bring huge benefits to schools in Bristol, which desperately need the funding to cut class sizes and give children more individual attention in those crucial early years.
Yours sincerely,
Stephen Williams MP
Paul Harrod, Prospective MP, Bristol North West
Cllr Mike Popham, Prospective MP, Bristol East
Cllr Dr Mark Wright, Prospective MP, Bristol South