SCHOOLS in the Okehampton area will soon benefit from a cash boost as changes in educational funding aim to bring parity between schools across the country.

The extra funding is due to a change in the national per pupil funding formula which, until now, has seen Devon ranked as one of the most poorly funded authorities in the country.

Last week the Department for Education published its final per-pupil funding allocations for 2015-16 for all local areas.

In 2014-15, the total funding for schools in Devon was £358.1-million. In 2015-16 that will rise by 4.7% to £374.8-million, with the amount spent per pupil rising to £4,350, a £194 increase.

Headteacher of North Tawton Primary School Nick D'Agorne was delighted with the news. He said: 'It is fantastic news, I just want to now see the money! A 4.7 per cent increase in funding for us makes the difference between make or break. We can use money where we want rather than having our funding spread too thinly.

'Kids do suffer in this area from a lack of funding in schools. This means that investments that should be happening now to improve children's education and make a difference in their futures can happen.

'We have not been in a position to spend money we would have liked, but now hopefully we will be. It will certainly mean we can afford things we need now to make the children's education and futures better.'

Central Devon MP Mel Stride has also welcomed the news. Mr Stride launched his 'Fairer Funding for Devon's Schools' campaign in 2009 to draw attention to the issue and lobbied former Education Secretary Michael Gove on the funding disparity.

Mr Stride said: 'I am very pleased that the Government has taken this step towards rectifying the unfairness in our funding system. It was worth consulting thoroughly with headteachers and with local authorities to ensure the adjustments have been well thought out and a 4.7 per cent rise in funding for pupils in Devon is a very welcome boost.

'This means a school with 200 pupils will receive nearly £40,000 more each year that can go towards text books, equipment and staff and will undoubtedly improve education provision across the county.'

Areas across the South West, including Cornwall, Dorset and Wiltshire will all receive an increase in funding.

Schools Minister David Laws said: 'Schools are absol-utely crucial to our vision to build a stronger economy and a fairer society, so that everyone can reach their full potential.

'Without proper funding it's impossible to give children a fair start in life. That's why we are taking action to address the unfairness in school funding by allocating an additional £390-million to the least fairly funded areas in the country, whilst protecting schools budgets elsewhere.

 'This is the biggest step towards fairer schools funding in a decade, meaning every local area will attract a minimum level of funding for its pupils and schools in 2015-16.

'Schools are also benefiting from an additional £2.5-billion of extra funding through the pupil premium to help raise attainment amongst the most disadvantaged pupils.'