UP to 1,000 parents, teachers and children attended a protest in Sandbach on Saturday March, 18 against the government’s proposed changes to school funding.

Schools under the Cheshire East Council authority are set to become the worst-funded in England if the National Funding Formula goes ahead.

The proposals would see spending per pupil in east Cheshire reduced to under £4,200, compared with Westminster schools which would receive almost £6,000.

The protest comes as part of a major campaign against the cuts, which has seen head teachers from the borough lobbying local ministers, and a national petition which has accrued over 25,000 signatures.

Keith Simpson, headmaster at Middlewich High School, outlined in a letter to parents that the issue can be explained on two key factors.

‘The basic lump sum for each child Age Weighted Pupil Unit – called school led funding, and additional factor for each child – deprivation, English as an additional language etc.’

Jonathan Parry, Middlewich Town councillor, said: “The size of the march went beyond expectation and everyone made their voice heard.

“It was a non-political march, and the fact that so many turned out despite the weather showed how strongly people feel.

“We’ve just got to keep fighting.”

The protest in Sandbach followed a previous march in Nantwich which garnered over 400 people.

The Department for Education outlined how the National Funding Formula will mean that a clear, simple and transparent system matches funding to children’s needs.

The consultation over the proposals ends today.