Bury North MP James Frith grilled Schools Minister Nick Gibb at the Education Select Committee this week following a letter sent to the Bury Times by 67 headteachers in April which made clear that our schools are facing a financial crisis.

James challenged the Minister over school funding, support for children with special educational needs and disabilities, alternative provision and exclusions.

James said:

“I said I would champion local issues in Parliament and I am doing that at every opportunity. Local parents, teachers and heads have raised very serious concerns with me about school funding, a decline in support for the most vulnerable children and the rise in exclusions and I will continue to raise these concerns at the highest level.

“The Education Select Committee agreed that our new work programme – at my urging – will include inquiries into school funding and alternative provision and I will continue gathering local evidence to challenge ministers on their failings in these areas.”

Watch James’s questioning here