PUPILS in Oxfordshire urged politicians to protect what they love about education as thousands of postcards were handed to the Education Secretary at a protest in London.

The Fair Funding for All Schools campaign ramped up the pressure on the Government yesterday ahead of the General Election by delivering the postcards, which call on Justine Greening to honour pledges to protect school funding.

Parents from the campaign’s Oxfordshire branch were present at the event while at Carswell Community Primary School in Abingdon pupils used to chalk to write on the playground about what they love about school and do not want cut.

Fairer Funding for All Schools Oxfordshire claims financial pressures and a proposed new funding formula could cost schools in the county almost £30m by 2019.

Emma Jackson, whose son Ben took part in the chalking at Carswell Primary, said: “I am very concerned about funding.

“The children wrote all sorts of things in the playground, such as the forest school.

“It is really important that politicians understand that we need the funding so schools can continue to offer a diverse education for everyone.

“We do not want a very narrow curriculum. With forest schools for example it is important kids get the chance to take risks and go out in the open, climb trees and light fires.

“I hope the event in London will have an impact and that the Government will realise that all parents are concerned about this.”

Fair Funding for All Schools has called on all parties and candidates in the General Election to commit to addressing the school funding issue.

Before the election was called the Department for Education had consulted on a proposed new funding formula which it claimed would be fairer but that critics said would cost schools money.

The response to that consultation was due soon but has been delayed due to the election.

Fair Funding for All Schools Oxfordshire co-founder Helen Brockett, who was at the postcard event, said: “School funding is a major election issue for parents, grandparents and other concerned members of the community.

“Schools are struggling financially now.

“We need commitments from prospective MPs that they understand the importance of education and its impact on our children’s wellbeing and life chances.

“Pupil funding across the county and the country needs increased investment.”

The campaign has involved hundreds of parents in Oxfordshire and is supported by about 40,000 across England.

Last week on a visit to Oxford the Labour Party’s Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner suggested money used to pay for free schools could instead be used to fund existing schools.

Speaking yesterday Fair Funding for All Schools co-founder Jo Yurky said: “We are delivering a message not just to Justine Greening today but to all politicians.

“We want your commitment to fund our schools properly, so that every child gets the education they deserve and no child loses out.”

The Government has said that schools in England are receiving more money than ever.