TigerLily
August 18th, 2009, 04:46 PM
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20090818/tuk-tory-council-plans-school-fees-help-6323e80.html
A Tory council is considering plans to help unemployed parents pay private school fees.
Bromley Council confirmed it is considering the proposal as part of its annual review of school places.
Private school fees usually average around £12,000 per year.
The borough has asked lawyers to look at whether it could use state funding to offer subsidies of up to £4,700 per pupil.
Gillian Pearson, Bromley Council's Director of Children and Young People Services, said: "We are at the early exploration stage in considering this issue as part of our overall annual review of school places and school organisation.
"As with any proposal of this type, we will give full consideration to all the key factors which would include the educational case, the need in terms of place planning, the associated costs, the legal framework and other Local Authority practice."
Liberal Democrat schools spokesman David Laws said: "Like Daniel Hannan and Alan Duncan, the Conservatives in Bromley are showing their true colours, despite David Cameron's attempts to make the party into something it is not.
"As the recession bites, it's clear that the Tories' priority is to protect the privileged. With state school budgets being squeezed, the last thing they need is to have their money diverted to the private sector."
Education funding handed to councils is usually passed on to headteachers to spend in schools.
But a certain amount of cash is retained for authorities to spend on areas such as free school meals, providing places for children in private special needs schools, nurseries or for "exceptional circumstances". It is this pot of money that Bromley is apparently considering using.
A Tory council is considering plans to help unemployed parents pay private school fees.
Bromley Council confirmed it is considering the proposal as part of its annual review of school places.
Private school fees usually average around £12,000 per year.
The borough has asked lawyers to look at whether it could use state funding to offer subsidies of up to £4,700 per pupil.
Gillian Pearson, Bromley Council's Director of Children and Young People Services, said: "We are at the early exploration stage in considering this issue as part of our overall annual review of school places and school organisation.
"As with any proposal of this type, we will give full consideration to all the key factors which would include the educational case, the need in terms of place planning, the associated costs, the legal framework and other Local Authority practice."
Liberal Democrat schools spokesman David Laws said: "Like Daniel Hannan and Alan Duncan, the Conservatives in Bromley are showing their true colours, despite David Cameron's attempts to make the party into something it is not.
"As the recession bites, it's clear that the Tories' priority is to protect the privileged. With state school budgets being squeezed, the last thing they need is to have their money diverted to the private sector."
Education funding handed to councils is usually passed on to headteachers to spend in schools.
But a certain amount of cash is retained for authorities to spend on areas such as free school meals, providing places for children in private special needs schools, nurseries or for "exceptional circumstances". It is this pot of money that Bromley is apparently considering using.