THE majority of schools in our region will miss out on a proposed boost to pupil funding, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Earlier this month, Boris Johnson announced a reform package that would see £14 billion invested in primary and secondary schools between now and 2022/23.

The Prime Minister’s plans allow for an increase in the minimum funding schools receive per pupil.

However, House of Commons data shows that the reforms to this particular funding pot will disproportionately benefit youngsters in the South of England while most schools in our region can expect to receive no increase at all.

Less than one in five primaries and around a third of secondary schools in the North-East are currently eligible for the boost in per-pupil funding.

The Echo’s analysis of 894 schools in the North-East and parts of North Yorkshire found that just 196 schools are in line to receive a cash injection under the plans.

The remainder, many of which have been heavily impacted by cuts to funding since 2011, are considered to already be receiving what will become the minimum amount – £4,000 per primary pupil and £5,000 for secondary children.

Children at Darlington’s Longfield Academy, Abbey and Mowden Junior Schools are among those in the area who could benefit most from the funding, along with pupils at two schools in Tynemouth and Junction Farm Primary in Eaglescliffe.

When the funding is increased, Mowden could receive an additional £500 for each child yearly.

But the school’s head, Peter King, is not convinced the funding will materialise and is calling for more clarification on how it will be calculated and allocated.

He said there was confusion among heads around how the Government will establish how much each school receives, when taking into account the complexities involved in funding education.

Mr King added: “With our different pots of funding added up, it may be that we’re considered to have more than £4,000 but we do not know what the base line measure is or what this announcement means for us.

“It’s not clear whether the basic figure is based on absolute pupil numbers or takes into account other funding schools can receive.”

He welcomes any increase but said the Government’s £14b plan represents a fraction of the funding lost to schools in recent years.

Boris Johnson said proposals would ensure that each child received a superb education and would see historically underfunded areas of the country receiving the greatest increases.

However, Chris Zarraga, from Schools North East, said it was clear our region would lose out, adding: “Using the minimum funding level as a means to distribute the promised increases means that schools in areas like the North East, with the greatest numbers of ‘high impact’ deprived children who require the greatest support, will effectively lose out.

“The additional funding on offer does nothing to support our hard working school leaders or our students as they try to narrow the attainment gap with more advantaged areas.”

He said ‘far greater’ targeted Government support was much needed for areas “dealing with the greatest problems”.