Local residents of North East Somerset have gathered in Midsomer Norton to voice concerns about cuts to school funding. Concerned parents and members of the public joined a protest in Midsomer Norton High Street on Saturday to petition against cuts to school budgets.

A concerned parent said: “This is not about buying more glue sticks. Staff numbers have been cut and building maintenance isn’t being done. It’s just not sustainable. Things that have been ignored so far are going to need a lot of money, and unless we start to address them now, it is going to be a bigger problem in the future.”

Local residents stopped to add their names to a petition to increase school funding, expressing their anger at the current struggles local schools are facing.

Labour’s Parliamentary candidate Mark Huband added: “I have been listening to the concerns of headteachers in North East Somerset, and our schools are in crisis. One Headteacher was in school until 3 a.m. painting classrooms as maintenance staff have been cut. The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats in coalition have ignored the voices of teachers, parents and children, who now feel enough is enough.” For 49% of schools in our area, the funding crisis continues. Is your school on the list? ­Find your school: schoolcuts.org