AN Okehampton school leader has expressed his concerns that an extra £1.3-billion in school funding is not ’new’ and would be taken from elsewhere in the education budget.

This week, education secretary Justine Greening announced that an additional £1.3-billion would be directed to core pupil funding on top of the already planned new national funding formula.

In wake of the announcement, the executive principal at Okehampton College, Daryll Chapman, welcomed the news but was apprehensive about where the extra money would come from.

He said: ‘We welcome the announcement that the Government is putting more money into schools, however I am concerned that this does not appear to be new money and it is more a case that money is being moved around the education sector.

‘I worry that this money will not be enough to address the real issues facing our schools — especially those in rural Devon. 

‘I think there is a need to remain cautious because the devil will be in the detail and, at this particular time, the detail behind this funding has not yet been released. The funding predicament that we are facing remains a real concern of mine and I feel there needs to be a significant financial commitment made to schools in order for them to continue to address the needs of all our youngsters.

‘Indeed, the Institute for Fiscal Studies says school budgets will continue to decline in real terms by 4.6% over the next few years.’

Central Devon MP Mel Stride also welcomed the announcement and hoped that schools across Devon would benefit.

He agreed with the education secretary that the injection of cash would deliver the largest improvement to the school funding system for over a decade, that it would increase the basic amount that every pupil will get, increase protected funding for those with high needs and ensure every local authority can give schools a cash increase through the new formula.

Mr Stride, who has been involved with the Fairer Funding for Devon’s Schools campaign for over a decade, said: ‘The Government is committed to ending the postcode lottery of school funding so all children receive the education they deserve, wherever they live. This means that, working with teachers and schools across the country, we can continue to raise standards and give every child the best possible education, and the best opportunities for their future.’