Sir – The news that primary education is continuing to improve in Oxfordshire is to be welcomed.

The progress in recent years is undoubtedly down to both a more focused approach, together with the hard work and dedication of teachers, governors and school leaders across the county.

It is disappointing that the Conservative Government has dumped plans for a national funding formula for schools.

As Oxfordshire is among the worst-funded areas in the country, despite the extra burden of high transport bills, even though that is not a feature of the budgets in many better-funded urban authorities. For instance, in London, Transport for London picks up the cost of all transport to school, except for dedicated special needs transport.

Despite this fact, London schools receive much better funding than Oxfordshire schools and achieve better results.

At least the Liberal Democrats when in government ensured that both the Pupil Premium and funding for infant free school meals were paid to schools in Oxfordshire at a universal national rate, with small schools receiving a premium for the cost of delivering the meals.

Until funding for Oxfordshire schools is increased, there is a risk that further progress will be less likely in the future.

John Howson
Lib Dem spokesman on education
Oxfordshire County Council