HALESOWEN and Rowley Regis’ headteachers have met with the schools’ minister to raise concerns with local education.

Funding, assessments and staffing were some of the topics which were discussed with the minister for schools, Nick Gibb, during a recent meeting of the Halesowen Teaching and Learning Community.

Chairman of the group, Jeannette Mackinney, executive headteacher at Lutley Primary School, said the school leaders were “delighted” to have the opportunity to share their concerns with Mr Gibb.

Among the concerns raised were changes to the assessment systems, the impact that current budget pressures are having on schools in the area and also the difficulties headteachers face in the recruitment and retention of teachers.

Mrs Mackinney added: “We feel that the minister really listened to what we had to say and took on board our concerns.

“We are very grateful to him for giving us the opportunity to have an open and honest conversation about education.”

Also in attendance was MP James Morris who said some “very important” points and concerns were raised by the headteachers, but the meeting “also demonstrated some of the real passion and success” of local teachers.

“Education was a major issue during the recent General Election, and rightfully so,” Mr Morris said.

“It’s important that our schools are adequately funded, resourced and staffed to ensure that our children get the best possible start in life, and it provides them with the skills to start out in the workplace and in society.”

Mr Morris claims the Government’s schools budget is “at its highest level on record” this year at almost £41 billion with an additional £2.6 billion expected to be added by 2019-20.

Adding: “Locally this means that local per-pupil school funding will increase by 2.3 per cent. This means that every single school will receive a funding increase of at least one per cent, with others receiving up to six per cent more depending on need in Halesowen and Rowley Regis.”