The state of further education is an ongoing and pressing issue. While the government committed to raising the 16 to 18 funding rate last year, the sector is still crying out for more funding.

Now Bedford College Group Principal and CEO Ian Pryce has added his voice to the pleas - through the power of song. 

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He’s released a version of Simon and Garfunkels’ Mrs. Robinson. The new version, titled Mr Williamson, calls on the secretary of state for education to give the sector a break. 

Mr Pryce is fast becoming the sector’s most-loved artist. In October, he released a cover of Queen’s Somebody to Love to mark Colleges Week, and has also turned Dolly Parton’s Jolene into a funding plea to Justine Greening, then education secretary. He was also the voice of Tes’ 12 days of Christmas. 

Lyrics: Mr Williamson 

Here’s to you, Gavin Williamson
The sector loves you more than Michael Gove
God bless you dear Mr Williamson
You say you will raise our funding rate

That’s just great
Eight years too late 

The auditors have said they want to scrutinise our files
Punish us for every small mistake
Intervention seems to mean unsympathetic spies
Can you give us all a break?

Where have you gone all the principals? 
Especially the ones on highest pay
So hear our plea Mr Williamson
Colleges serve millions every day

There has to be
A better way

Stop a busy working every Sunday afternoon
Making sure our students get their grades
Yet it feels like all we ever get is more abuse
Every budget round we seem to loose

Here’s to you, Gavin Williamson
The sector loves you more than Michael Gove
God bless you dear Mr Williamson
You say you will raise our funding rate

That’s just great
Eight years too late