Teen’s fury at cuts prompts letter to the Prime Minister
East Preston schoolgirl Jessica Bulezuik with a copy of her letter to David Cameron.
FRUSTRATION over government spending cuts has prompted an East Preston student to appeal directly to Prime Minister David Cameron for support.
Jessica Bulezuik, 14, a student at Davison High School for Girls, in Worthing, suffers from dyslexia and attends a special class to help her with her English and maths.
However, after discovering that the class was going to be discontinued, an outraged Jessica went home, and vented her frustration in a letter to Mr Cameron.
She said: “When my teacher told us that the year nines wouldn’t be getting the study plus option, I became so angry.
“I know for a fact that these classes have helped me to pass my exams. But these cuts are just putting the futures of those people that, with a little help could pass their GCSEs, on the line.
“I believe that the government cuts have gone too far and it just frustrates me how they are jeopardising young people’s futures.”
Since sending her letter to the Prime Minister, Jessica has set up her own petition at www.ipetitions.com
She now hopes to encourage more than 3,000 people to support her campaign, entitled Stop the Government Cuts and Repair the Damage.
The teenager said that her grandfather, Barry Bulezuik, has been one of the most active and supportive family members during her campaigning, along with her parents.
Jessica added that she feared her seven-year-old brother, Joshua, may also be dyslexic and that if the study plus option was axed, it could affect his future prospects, too.
Study plus caters for 12 students, from each GCSE year group at the school, and costs about £2,400 to run, every year.
Tony Davies, deputy head teacher and year-nine leader at Davison, confirmed that the class would be cut, for September’s intake of GCSE students.
He said: “Study plus is a class that we run as an option where students who are concerned about getting a C grade in maths and English can attend.
“The budget is very complicated. I would not say it’s a direct result of that but schools clearly need to make savings somewhere.
“It’s just smaller classes like the study plus ones, only cater for about 12 students, for an hour. The cost soon builds up.”
He added: “Jess is quite a sensible girl. I had a conversation last week with her and she was very angry that the class is being cut. She is clearly very passionate about her campaign.”
Last year, 69 per cent of students at the school gained five or more A-C grades including English and maths – a figure which has increased by two per cent since 2010.
To sign Jessica’s petition, click here.
She said: “Realistically, I’m not sure what sort of impact this will really have but if we can get enough support, perhaps Mr Cameron will listen.”
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