Call for united front to protect rural schools

That’s the rallying call from the county’s Conservative group leader Coun. Peter Jackson during a consultation on a new national funding formula, set to be introduced in September.

Coun. Jackson, who represents Ponteland South with Heddon, spoke out at a meeting of Northumberland County Council’s cabinet on January 19.

He said: “We have always recognised that sparsity is not being paid for through any national government formula. I think this is something we would unite in fighting for.”

The local authority currently distributes funding to all state-run schools in the county, but the new formula set to be introduced by the Government will dictate how much each school receives, based on its location and educational needs.

Education chiefs at the meeting said they would seek the best possible deal for local schools.

Northumberland’s director of education Andrew Johnson said that while the new formula would not make extra funding available, it was vital that funds are distributed fairly.

He shared Coun. Jackson’s concerns, and expressed fears over schools in rural areas with a limited number of pupils.

Mr Johnson explained: “This is not about more money. This is about distributing the money fairly.

“The amount a school is going to get depends on where it is situated.

“Geography is a key factor. Where a school is positioned and what its educational needs are will determine whether it is a winner or a loser.

“Two or three pupils make a big difference in a small school, but not in a big school.”

The committee heard a report from Coun. Robert Arckless, cabinet member for children’s services.

Coun. Arckless said there would be some “losers and gainers” under the new formula.

He added: “I am acutely aware that there has been an issue of under funding for Northumberland schools, and I think our job is to try and get the best formula that we can for Northumberland.

“We have tried to give our support to the smallest and most vulnerable schools.”