Cheltenham's MP, Alex Chalk, has this week presented his petition calling on the Government to introduce a fairer funding formula for Cheltenham's schools. The petition, which was signed by over one thousand local teachers, parents and governors, increases the pressure on the Government to take swift action to end the historic funding shortfall affecting Cheltenham pupils.

Presenting the petition before the House of Commons, Cheltenham's man in Westminster, said:

''I present this petition for fair school funding on behalf of 1,151 parents, teachers and school children in Cheltenham in the same terms as my hon. Friend the Member for Beverley and Holderness. It is time for fair funding for Cheltenham.''

The presentation of Mr Chalk's petition follows the annoucement at last week's Autumn Statement that the Chancellor plans to redress the schools funding imbalance from 2017, with a consultation regarding the exact funding formula due to be launched early next year.

Mr Chalk will be making his own submission to this consultation, reminding the Government of the need to give local pupils a fairer deal, and has also pledged to write to local Headteachers and Governors, encouraging them to do the same.

Speaking after presenting his petition Mr Chalk said “I was delighted to present such a large petition to the House of Commons. It is the culmination of a great deal of hard work by teachers, parents and pupils in Cheltenham, and just shows the strength of feeling about this funding injustice. The announcement by George Osborne in the Spending Review was really positive, but this petition shows that we are going to keep up the pressure."

To view the presentation of Mr Chalk's petition in full, please follow this link.