Overhaul of funding system 'must not hit rural schools'

Jim Clark has voiced fears that North Yorkshire – already one of the worst funded areas in the country – could be even worse off if Ministers implement proposals developed by the last Government.

He has written to the Education Secretary and all of the county's new MPs to urge them to back the needs of rural schools.

Although it is a member of the f40 group, representing the worst-funded 40 education authorities in the country, North Yorkshire actually receives a ring-fenced extra 14m under the current system.

Coun Clark, the county council's executive member for schools, fears this could be lost under a new funding formula.

He said: "This is a crucial issue for North Yorkshire and for the future health of our schools.

"We have carefully gathered evidence to show the real and present dangers of underfunding for rural schools. Findings show that pupils from socially deprived backgrounds in rural areas do less well than their peers in the inner city.

"We would argue in the strongest terms that if resources made available for deprivation are to be increased it must not be at the expense of already lowly and underfunded authorities."

Under the current system most Yorkshire councils receive 2,500 less per pupil than the best funded London boroughs.