Snubbed

She won't fund our schools adequately, even though they are obviously in a crisis

She refuses to grant us an interview, or answer any of our questions on education

So today, we take our case to Ms Morris as she arrives in town for a conference . . .

Dear Ms Morris,

Welcome to Swindon. It is ironic that you visit today, when the exam league tables for secondary schools are released.

They show that while schools in the rest of the country continue to improve, ours are falling behind, despite the valiant efforts of our over-stretched teachers.

The national average for children achieving A-C at GCSE is 50 per cent but in Swindon just 44.5 per cent achieved that standard. Churchfields School in Walcot shows particular cause for concern. The number of its children achieving a C or above has dropped by 21 per cent in just one year. Swindon Council must take some responsibility. Your inspectors have already identified a series of weaknesses in the way education is run here.

But we are afraid to say, Ms Morris, that much of the blame lies at your door.

You cannot say we have not warned you about the lack of education funding in Swindon.

Your Government has refused to act swiftly, despite the fact you give our schools hundreds of pounds per pupil less than most similar or nearby schools.

We have written to you before about this, but you did not even reply personally.

We asked you for an interview today, but you have refused.

Please enjoy today's conference in Swindon.

Its theme is Developing Best Practice in Education.

Perhaps you might like to spend some time considering how this principle can be applied to our schools beginning with proper funding for our children.

We look forward to your reply Ms Morris. It's the least you can do for the parents and pupils of Swindon.

Simon O'Neill, Editor