As a mum with a child in a primary school in Penarth, I am horrified to learn about the desperate measures our schools are having to take given this funding crisis. In the Penarth Cluster of schools, head teachers are cleaning school facilities at weekends to earn rent; there are redundancies and teachers have to take on other paid work. At least one local school’s governing body is looking into the possibility of closing on Friday afternoons which would create difficulties for working parents and teachers. Next, we hear our children’s health and safety may be at risk. I am shocked at the unfair and outdated formula used for school funding which seems fundamentally against The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, "A more equal Wales - where everyone has an equal chance whatever their background". School funding is in crisis across Wales, yet the Welsh Government is expecting the introduction of a new curriculum; a new additional learning needs bill and for schools to produce 1 million Welsh speakers. We already know that children in Wales achieve lower PISA scores than children anywhere else in the UK and have done for several years. But it's not just about academic achievement - our schools should be able to provide all-round education and support for all of our children to thrive.

Legislation & DfE guidance state how schools & local authorities must comply with the law. If statutory guidance or duties are not followed, any enforcement is left to individual families using ineffective complaint procedures; or the LGO service, which won’t act in the face of ultra vires local policies that exceed the scope of LA powers. Those who break the law need to face financial consequences with compensation for victims. It should not be left to parents to use Judicial Review to bring law breakers to account. Complaints often relate to a lack of support & provision (for SEND, trauma, mental/physical illness or disability); delays in securing assessments & diagnoses; & a refusal to accept the existence of some school-related issues (e.g., bullying, anxiety, peer abuse, or sensory overload). Many of these complaints are effectively disability discrimination. Some comments made by parents: “To stand by and say nothing when there is an escalating problem would be negligent of me in my parental duties. Yet I found myself being accused of all sorts by the professionals with whom I simply wanted to find resolution & move forward for the sake of my children.” "The system is a shambles and allows neglect of disabled children’s rights to an education. Until the system penalises those who ignore legislation it will never change. Delays save money. Even the complaints system at the LA needs complaining about as they are always delayed and are never solved." "The LA seem to have their own rules about providing education for SEN and are not answerable to anyone" "The response to my complaint (about the Head) was written by the head herself!" BACKGROUND INFORMATION According to The Department for Education: Statutory guidance sets out what schools & local authorities must do to comply with the law. They should follow this guidance unless they have a good reason not to do so. Some guidance must be followed without exception. In addition, statutory policies contain regulations & guidance that underpin a governing body’s decision-making process & these must be adhered too as they are enshrined in law. THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY The current lack of effective accountability in the system leads to significant psychological and/or physical harm for children and young people, severe difficulties for families, & damage to educational outcomes. There are specific areas of law which give rise to the majority of complaints: When children & young people (CYP) need individual SEND provision, schools, academies, & local authorities do not always comply with the SEND Code of Practice & other SEND-related policies, statutory guidance & laws. This denies CYP access to suitable educational provision. https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs When children & young people experience physical or mental health difficulties, schools & local authorities do not always comply with the guidance around supporting pupils with medical conditions at school. This denies CYP access to suitable educational provision. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions--3 When children & young people are bullied schools & local authorities often do little to help or protect them from harm. By law, all maintained schools must have a behaviour policy in place that includes measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils. Schools must also follow anti-discrimination law, meaning staff must act to prevent discrimination, harassment & victimisation within the school. Not doing so denies CYP a suitable education within a safe environment. https://www.gov.uk/bullying-at-school In recent years there has been a rise in cases of sexual assault in schools. Relevant guidance has been created however, many schools are unaware of this & are failing to protect victims, denying them an education within a safe environment. https://consult.education.gov.uk/safeguarding-in-schools-team/keeping-children-safe-in-education/supporting_documents/Sexual%20Harassment%20and%20Sexual%20Violence%20%20Advice.pdf When any of these issues occur, children & young people struggle to maintain attendance at school. This can lead to school-attendance-related penalties & prosecutions for parents/carers, implemented because schools can use their own judgement to authorise or un-authorise absence under laws originally designed to combat truancy (not absence as a result of unmet needs, threats to personal safety, severe academic pressure, or physical/mental illness). THE LACK OF INDEPENDENCE & TRANSPARENCY To make a complaint, parents need to follow the policy/complaints procedure of the relevant school or academy. Initially this means bringing a complaint to the Headteacher & then, if necessary, the Board of Governors or Trustees. This effectively means that a parent or carer has to ask the people they are complaining about to investigate their complaint, which is not fair or transparent. If no resolution is found with a school there is the option to contact: - The Local Authority - Then, the Department for Education - Then, the Local Government Ombudsman (who can only investigate a limited range of issues or complaints). Or, If no resolution is found with an Academy, the next steps are to approach: - The Education Funding Agency - & then the Secretary of State for Education https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school Parents report that these options are usually ineffective, time-consuming and stressful. THE LACK OF SUPPORT Any parent or carer currently has to manage this complaints process without any independent support or guidance. If complaints of non-compliance are not dealt with effectively, parents have no further recourse & are therefore powerless to help their children. They may also worry that they have made a complaint against the very organisation with whom they entrust their child on a daily basis.

I have 4 children with autism, cutting pupil support assistants in schools affects not just the children that need it but the kids who do not have additional needs also. Teachers will face extra strain because they either do not have the experience to deal with children with additional needs, or they feel their time cannot be spent with other pupils due to the additional needs of those that need it. It is important that after school clubs such as SNAP are in existence, many kids with additional support needs do not have friends outside school and are not invited to birthday parties or included in communities because of these support needs. After school clubs are an essential lifeline for those children that really need to have some sort of social life outside their families. In many cases school and after school clubs are the only respite families have for both the children and the family.

This is important because we believe that even though Domestic Violence is known, its not fully understood. We want children to know that everyone can be abused in their lifetime, whether it be women, men or children. Through personal experience, I have seen what Domestic Violence can do and its effects on a persons physical and mental well-being.

Because kids can't learn or play the guitar if they are left handed because it will be upside down

Teaching Assistants are extremely valuable staff members within schools that have to take on so many different roles to cope with the growing numbers of children's needs. They need to have the same skills as: counsellors, nurses, social workers and physcologists as well as teaching and nurturing children to their full potential. They currently do not get an annual pay rise, in line with inflation and other rising costs. Only yesterday, I was trying to control a number of children who were screaming, jumping on tables and kicking a classroom door. Teaching assistants frequently have to deal with aggressive and sometimes violent behaviour, be it verbal or physical, often without proper training. The government's cuts to school's budgets have affected their ability to fund new resources and training which can leave staff vunerable. This also does nothing for their self esteem!! Please help these staff whom your children's teachers rely on!! Thank you :)

Children are suffering in secondary school If children are on free school meals they have no option but to spend it only what the school selected. This then hinders other kids that may want something the secondary has on their menu but cannot get it.I understand they want to save money. However, as a single parent I realised I am giving more money To my child than the full allowance a year the school are profitting I contacted my MP Bob and The head it is time we get this reviewed.

The young people are showing us the way and we must listen to them. We have not responded to climate change quickly enough. We are running out of time. We need to stand up for what is right. We need to protect these young people. We need to stand with them.

If the high school closes it will affect the whole community

There is not enough provisions for SEN children in the East Riding area. Children as young as 5 are having to travel long distances to gain access to education, which all children should be entitled to, nearer to there home. It is important to ensure that families are able to be closer to there childrens school incase of emergencies, and to be fully involved in there childs education...without worry of travel...

"Aiming to produce the brightest and best Officers joining the Armed Forces through academic and sporting excellence, the scheme is an excellent proposition for anyone studying one of our approved degrees with an aspiration to work for the Armed Forces or Ministry of Defence". We need these sort of people to contribute to our nations defence and security.

We would like the teachers to support our children and not make them feel that they start everyday on a bad foot because their pen ran out or bad weather ruined their card