HEAD teachers from schools across Warrington rallied in London on Friday to address the funding crisis in schools.

Ten heads from the borough joined 2,000 others in the peaceful protest at Westminster.

Head teacher at Cobbs Infant and Nursery School in Appleton, Lyndsey Glass said: “It was a quiet and sensible walk but it was very important for us to be there as we have be underfunded for so long.”

Warrington is part of the f40 group which represents authorities where government-set cash allocations for pupils are the lowest in the country.

Lyndsey has been a head teacher for 13 years, previously at Alderman Bolton Community Primary School in Latchford. Her budget for next year is £130,000 in deficit.

She said: “At one time we could afford teaching assistants for our children with special needs to make sure they had the right intervention. We do everything we can to save money but there is only so far we can go.

“Without these assistants the children do not make the same progress. Lots are missing out on schemes such as Every Child Counts which helps with literacy.

“The Chancellor says more money is being given but you only have to look at our schools, you cannot see where it goes. Class sizes are increasing and we are relying more on our PTA for things like ICT equipment.

“Parents have been very supportive with both the PTA and in us going down to London.”

The school has also be forced to condemn play equipment that they cannot afford to replace. They find it difficult to afford simple tasks such as painting classrooms which make a big difference to the children’s experience.

Mrs Glass added: “The national funding formula was introduced to get rid of issues but London is so much better funded than other parts of the country and it doesn’t seem to address area factors. Everyone is feeling the pinch.

“I have colleagues who cannot afford to have teachers for their classes and have to get cover from PPAs.”

It is not surprising that teachers are feeling the strains of added pressure in the workplace as they take on extra jobs where other staff have been cut and increase their working hours.

“We will end up losing teachers,” Mrs Glass said.

The Warrington head teachers hope their stand will demonstrate democracy in action to their pupils and teach the children that if you are worried about something then you can peacefully protest.

In a statement the head teachers said: “If the message got through and the government listened then it may be one of the best days work we’ve ever done.”