SCHOOL bosses in Bury have told the new Government to stump up more cash for kids. The borough is playing a crucial part in talks to revamp the nation's education system, but says extra money is essential.

Officers spelled out the message to a special delegation from the Department for Education and Employment.

Bury is one of just 14 local education authorities (LEAs) chosen to advise ministers on new policies, especially in reducing the size of primary school classes.

The Government has pledged to phase out classes of more than 30 pupils for youngsters aged from five to seven over the next five years.

The information Bury provides will be used to help draw up the necessary legislation this autumn.

Mr Harold Williams, borough education officer, said: "We do have a particular problem with the number of primary classes with more than 30 pupils - nearly 50 per cent of them," he said.

"Only eleven LEAs had a larger percentage. And we were 84th worst out of 108 regarding the pupil-to-teacher ratio."

Mr Williams said these were 1995 figures, and he expected them to have worsened since because of cutbacks.

"We made it clear to the DfEE that budgets have been cut. If we are going to achieve the Government's desired outcome, the implications in terms of finance means that councils have to be funded. We had to get that message across very firmly."

Bury's representatives told the Government that extensions had to be built at some schools. They further urged that mixed year classes were not the solution.

Mr Williams was, however, encouraged by the DfEE's early consultation on their White Paper.

"I am sure that governors and parents will feel the same way and hopefully our involvement at this early stage will ensure that any changes have positive benefits in Bury."

Coun David Neath, deputy chairman of education, said there had been "a full and frank exchange of views" at the meeting which he described as very worthwhile.

Mr Williams was intending to travel to Warwick this weekend for further talks.

He would have joined 100 delegates from the Association of Chief Education Officers to discuss the Government's White Paper "Excellence in Schools".

But the gathering has been cancelled because of the funeral for Diana, Princess of Wales.

The meeting will be re-arranged. Mr Williams said: "Being part of gatherings like this can only assist the borough in the long term."

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