Why education in Bolton is a mess

The cuts in education announced in the budget will see 98% of schools worse off by 2020. In Bolton secondary schools are struggling to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum. Subjects like psychology and even languages are disappearing as tightening finances mean schools are having to employ fewer teachers. They don't have the money, in part due to lack of funding. Until now the Tories have not cut school budgets they have not increased the money in line with inflation. As free schools and the University Technical College have been allowed to open it means fewer children for each school. In some areas this has had disastrous consequences to the number of children and therefore the amount of money going to previously vibrant schools.

The government says it is giving parents more choice — from my point of view we are left with little choice. Almost all secondary schools are now academies.

Who are they accountable to? Themselves it seems, and the DfE. If you have a complaint about anything at an academy you can not talk to the local authority, it has no jurisdiction. You can talk to the academy trust, but they are the people who set it up in the first place.

The number of primary age children is increasing in the town. But the only way to get a new school is if an academy or a free school it opened. We have to struggle with larger class sizes or opening up extra classes in portable buildings, keeping our fingers crossed that someone will open a new school. No one seems to rushing to open primary schools in the poorer parts of Bolton.

The conservatives policy is "If there is a financial need for school someone will open one. If a school is not financially viable it should close."

It is a mess. Someone should have an overview of Bolton schools —where new schools are needed and if a school need to close to ensure that it is managed properly.

The children of Bolton are our future and they deserve better.

Julia Simpkins

Bolton NUT