MPs criticise county's education

Two Northants MPs have criticised the county education system in Parliament.

Kettering MP Philip Hollobone claimed specialist teachers were in short supply, while Wellingborough MP Peter Bone said schools were overcrowded.

Three head teachers had complained over difficulties in recruiting staff for English and music, Mr Hollobone said.

Mr Bone said pupils were being forced to stay at home due to a lack of school places. Schools minister Jim Knight said the claims were exaggerated.

"Northamptonshire County Council report there are 704 places across the three schools in Wellingborough and there are 630 pupils so there is in fact a surplus," he said.

'Further problems'

The MPs were taking part in an education reforms debate.

"The government has tried to plug gaps in maths and science with targeted recruitment campaigns but the problem went further than that," Mr Hollobone said.

Mr Bone claimed schools in his constituency were over-crowded and some parents are being forced to find alternatives.

Both MPs attacked the government for causing the problem.

Northamptonshire County Council said they would be replying to the criticisms on Thursday afternoon.