SCHOOL heads and councillors from Malvern are calling for a fairer deal for the town's secondary school pupils.

Heads at the Chase, Dyson Perrins and Hanley Castle are among the principals of all Worcestershire’s high schools who have sent out letters to thousands of parents warning that another year of belt-tightening will be affecting their children.

They say the financial situation will mean larger classes, fewer learning options and less support for the most vulnerable.

Dyson Perrins head Mike Gunston said: “We have been fortunate enough to have accumulated some reserves and we have been able to protect our students to some extent, but we have also had to make cuts. Many Worcestershire schools have been forced to set a deficit budget.”

Malvern Hills district councillor Sarah Rouse said: "“I think now it is clear that we have reached the end of the road for our schools to be able to make further cuts. This is not about political parties fighting now, but real-world implications for young people.

"As an independent councillor, I call on everyone involved in local councils to stand up for our schools and to put politics aside to do what we can for future generations.“

Town councillor Samantha Charles said: "Myself and West Worcestershire Labour Party demand that Harriett Baldwin stand up for the parents and children in her constituency and rather than toe the Tory party line, challenge the government’s unfair pupil funding in our county."

MP Harriett Baldwin said: "“It is undeniable that schools in Worcestershire have had a worse deal than similar schools in the West Midlands and I support all measures introduced by the Department of Education to fix this imbalance and make the formula fairer.

“I am grateful to our local head teachers and parents for getting in touch recently on this matter and I will share these response of the Education Secretary.”