Nus Ghani’s last act as MP for Wealden in this parliament, was to represent Fletching Church of England Primary School to the Education Minister, Department for Education in relation to East Sussex County Councils consultation on the future of Fletching Primary School. In light of the Governments school funding commitments, Nus Ghani has repeatedly raised her concerns about the East Sussex County Councils consultation on the Fletching Primary School. Nus has held discussions and meetings in the village of Fletching with Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council and has now taken the villagers concerns to the top table in Whitehall.
The Government has recently committed new funding for schools which will see funding per pupil rise. The Prime Minister has committed an additional £14 billion investment to schools over. This investment will benefit every school with particularly significant gains for the lowest funded schools and ensure every primary school receives at least £3,750 per pupil next year, putting primary schools on the path to receiving at least £4,000 per pupil the following year.
Previously, local MP Nus Ghani met with residents in Fletching Village Hall to discuss the East Sussex County Council consultation regarding the future of Fletching Primary School. Following her meeting in Fletching, she submitted her own substantive response to the consultation.
In addition to this Nus Ghani has now written to Keith Glazier, Leader of the Council to arrange a private meeting following the completion of the consultation to discuss the outcome of the submissions.
The Minister confirmed: “The Government holds a presumption against closing small schools and no decision at a County level could be made until the funding formula for small schools had been resolved.”
Nus said: “I was extremely concerned that Fletching school would drop from the radar when Parliament dissolved. At 5pm this evening, I was able to secure my final appointment over at the Department for Education to ensure that regardless of the election, Fletching school will continue to be a priority.
“The Minister confirmed to me that the new funding formula will see an increase in funding next year by 8.1 per cent. The Minister also confirmed to me that he was keen to meet councillors involved in putting together and holding this consultation.
“It is clear that no decision can be made by the County Council until representations are made to the Minister. This is vital to the village of Fletching, as we have reservations around the base of the consultation.
“I received a large number of emails and letters from constituents opposed to the proposed closure of Fletching School. Therefore, I met with both school representatives and parents alike to discuss the Council’s consultation. I have since submitted my own substantive response to the consultation.
“I have also written to Keith Glazier, Leader of the Council to arrange a private meeting following the completion of the consultation to discuss the outcome of the submissions.
“As my term as MP concludes in this parliament, I wanted to ensure that having raised this case with the Minister of State for Schools, that I made one final pitch to ensure that this issue was given the attention it deserves.”
