Cambridgeshire education chiefs are warning that the Conservative government’s proposed changes to school funding will leave many of the county’s schools worse off contrary to promises that more money would come to county schools.

Cambridgeshire County Council want the government to revise their formula to reflect better the rural character of the county and to help small schools, many of which will suffer in the proposed Tory deal.

Although 149 schools will see their funding increase, all schools will be worse off in real terms when costs such as National Insurance contributions, pension increases and the apprenticeship levy are taken into account.

Around 75 schools will see actual cuts in their funding, which follows years of low funding in Cambridgeshire.  Small schools in less deprived parts of the county will be hardest hit.

The School’s Forum, a body of Cambridgeshire’s Headteachers and councillors and officers from the County Council, would be unable to redress this imbalance as local decision-making will be reduced with this new formula.

The county council complains that the current proposals just redistribute money, with a minor increase for Cambridgeshire to support transition, what is already there, which is not enough.

I back calls for a formula which ensures that every child can receive a high standard of education wherever they live in the county.