Yorkshire Post Manifesto: Education

Education leaders also warn that the region suffers from a North-South divide in the Government's current funding formula which sees most Yorkshire councils receive at least 2,500 less per pupil than the most well-supported London boroughs.

More than three-quarters of the region's 15 councils are given less than the national average level of funding per pupil.

Campaigners say this failure harms chances of improving pupils' performance and undermines league tables.

The f40 group – representing 40 of the worst funded councils in the country, including the East Riding, North Yorkshire, York and Wakefield – is lobbying the Government to close the gaps between the best and worst funded education authorities which have been growing for the past 10 years.

East Riding is the worst funded education authority in Yorkshire.

It gets 3,851 per pupil – nearly 4,000 less than City of London pupils.

In North Yorkshire there are 134 schools with less than 80 pupils.

More than three-quarters of region's education authorities receive less than the national average.

CASE STUDY: SAVE SMALL SCHOOLS

The importance of rural schools such as Thornton Watlass CE Primary, in North Yorkshire, cannot be overestimated.

Not only does it provide a high-quality education for its 37 pupils, living between Bedale and Masham, but it also plays a key role in the rural community.

It is one of 79 schools across North Yorkshire which have fewer than 50 pupils and cost well over 1,300 more per pupil to run.

Such schools also face a challenge in remaining viable as property prices prevent young families from living in its catchment area.

Headteacher Adam Pritchard-Jenkins said schools like his were particularly vulnerable over funding, adding: "A subsidy directly from Government which recognises the costs of running a small rural school is definitely needed."