Sandwell schools in capital protest

MPs, teachers and parents from Sandwell vented their anger at the decision to cut £138 million from the borough's school building programme at a protest in London.

A coachload of teachers, pupils and union members descended on Westminster yesterday to take part in the Save Our Schools rally, organised by teachers' union NASUWT.

Funding has been withdrawn from nine Sandwell schools while three other building projects could feel the sharp side of cuts. This follows a blunder by Education Secretary Michael

Gove, who guaranteed Sandwell schools' building projects would go ahead, before it emerged they were cancelled.

And members of the delegation, which set off from the Training and Development Centre in Popes Lane, Oldbury, said Education Secretary Michael Gove needed to review his decision.

Tom Watson, MP for West Bromwich East, said investment was being slashed in deprived areas where it was needed most.