PROBLEMS need to be tackled in pre-school before they have time to grow.

That's according to Dick Mattick, secretary of the Swindon branch of the teachers' union NASUWT.

Mr Mattick (pictured left) says many learning problems could be quickly dealt with if they are spotted before the child reaches primary school.

He said: "It's time we started to look at the pre-school years. When children enter their first year of learning they should be well on the way to reading and writing.

"Often teachers will be able to help one or two in the class who are having problems but when half the school are at that stage as they are in some schools it is going to be a big struggle."

In addition, he says matters are not helped by under-funding.

He claims that although cash is going to schools it is not filtering through to the classroom. "The Government needs to think about what it is doing," he said.

"We are in a situation where you 'see the money now you don't'.

"It's being swallowed by increased pension contributions, when in fact it needs to be spent on books and other resources."