Schools on the march against budget cuts

School staff, parents and union representatives took to the streets of Lancaster to demonstrate on Saturday against planned cutbacks in schools.
Lancaster and Fleetwood MP Cat Smith joins a Dalek in the Save Our Schools march in Lancaster.Lancaster and Fleetwood MP Cat Smith joins a Dalek in the Save Our Schools march in Lancaster.
Lancaster and Fleetwood MP Cat Smith joins a Dalek in the Save Our Schools march in Lancaster.

The Save our Schools march was organised by the Lancaster and Morecambe Primary Headteachers’ Cluster in protest at budget plans by the Government which schools say will have a devastating effect.

They argue that school budget cuts in real terms will mean an average loss per child of £440 in the district and say this is equivalent to the loss of about 200 teachers.

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And teachers are angry that despite this, more new tests are proposed for primary pupils.

The Save Our Schools march in Lancaster.The Save Our Schools march in Lancaster.
The Save Our Schools march in Lancaster.

“They are sending out the message that they are not just prepared to sit back and take these cuts, they are fighting back for the children’s futures.”

Among those attending the march were Cat Smith, Lancaster & Fleetwood MP, Louise Regan, NUT national president and Robert Kelsall, the NAHT senior regional officer.

The group, waving placards and banners, met up at Dalton Square, where there were stalls, face painting and activities for children and stirring speeches.

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Cat Smith said: “The support here has been incredible, I don’t think I have ever seen a march in Lancaster so well attended.

“I want to thank the head teachers for organising this march.

“Instead of sitting back and just accepting these cuts, they are fighting back for the futures of the children.”