Cumbrian headteachers have taken their concerns about future school funding, SATS tests, staff recruitment and retention to an MP.

Talks took place in with Workington’s Sue Hayman just days after she highlighted concerns in the House of Commons.

The Labour politician has also written to Education Secretary Nicky Morgan to determine whether Cumbrian schools will benefit from a Northern Powerhouse fund announced in the Budget earlier this year.

Graham Frost, secretary of the Cumbrian branch of the National Association of Head Teachers, was at the meeting with colleagues in Workington.

He said: "Assessments were the number one priority issue for the headteachers there.

"While none of us are against raising standards, these tests are badly designed. They do not give children a chance to demonstrates what they can do."

He was encouraged that Mrs Hayman said she would urge both teachers and parents to write to their local MP about concerns they have.

Funding was also discussed.

Mrs Hayman told Parliament last week that the National Union of Teachers (NUT) predicts that "Cumbria’s schools are set to see a 4.5 per cent real terms reduction in funding".

The Government wants to introduce a new national funding formula for all schools.

Cumbrian heads and school leaders believe such a move would adversely impact on the county’s large number of small schools and those in isolated areas.

Mr Frost said: "We hope to enlist cross-party support throughout Cumbria to help us in terms of meeting the needs of our communities and providing good quality education.

"Schools are particularly finding it hard to fund high needs provision for children. The demand is high. Mainstream education is supporting children who maybe need additional support.

"Of particular concern for heads in my union is that there seems to be – picked up from some MPs – a resignation that some schools, regardless or location and the communities where they are, may fold or get consumed by a multi-academy trust.

"Clearly, for communities where the village school is the hub of their lives there, that is a real concern."