After ten weeks lobbying without success, more than 75 headteachers yesterday took their frustration at the borough's education funding crisis directly to Prime Minister Tony Blair's front door.

Their public demonstration showed the depth of their commitment to Barnet's schools. We should be proud of them.

The protesters reject claims that Barnet Council is responsible for the funding crisis. It will be easier to point the finger tomorrow, when a list of funding returns published by Education Secretary Charles Clarke will show if the council has withheld money from schools.

If the Labour Party at central and local level is proved right in its suspicion that Tory-led councils are to blame, Tory councillors present at the march will have egg on their faces.

The dedicated headteachers deserve respect and credit. Let us hope tomorrow's publication does not let them down.

April 30, 2003 17:00