HEADTEACHERS and MPs in Wiltshire have been left concerned after six teaching unions claimed that schools across the county will lose funding.

According to ATL, GMB, NAHT, NUT, UNISON and Unite, 98 per cent of schools across the country face losing funding as part of the government’s National Funding Formula (NFF), which the government denies.

Statistics released by the unions using data published by the Department for Education show that in Chippenham, the average cost per pupil is expected to go down £298 by 2019/20 while in Devizes that figure is down £329 and in North Wiltshire it would go down by £316.

Headteacher at Devizes School, Phil Bevan, said: “Wiltshire has been one of the worst funded authorities for some time.

“Without doubt the lack of financial resources represents the biggest challenge to our schools. Compared to similar schools in other parts of the country we are woefully underfunded.

“We are seeking to see how the fairer funding that is being proposed will address the issue and the legacy. We are still not clear.”

Twelve headteachers from Wiltshire schools along with Chippenham MP, Michelle Donelan, met the schools minister, Nick Gibb, earlier this week to discuss the issue of funding and NFF, which is now in consultation.

Miss Donelan said: “The proposals do reduce the ludicrous funding gap but they do have some unintended consequences on some of our local schools given their unique circumstances and we believe the gap is still not reduced enough, especially given the rising costs of education.

“The minister was very responsive and engaging. This is a consultation period and he listened and took on board all comments aired.

“The next step is for us to prepare a further detailed analysis which the minister requested and encouraged everyone to input into the consultation.”

The Department of Education has refuted claims that it is taking money away from schools, and has insisted it is investing £40billion in 2016-17, its highest level on record.

A spokesman said: “They [teaching unions] have completely ignored the fact that as pupil numbers rise so will the amount of money schools receive.

“To suggest that we are taking money out of the system is simply incorrect. What the unions are doing is blurring two separate debates – the total level of funding for schools and the distribution of that funding.”