CAMPAIGNERS fighting for a fairer funding deal for Cambridgeshire’s schools have welcomed the announcement by Chancellor George Osborne that a new funding system will be in place from 2015.

Cambridgeshire County Council is currently the worst-funded authority in the country for schools and head teachers and MPs - including Sir Jim Paice - have been campaigning to redress the balance and secure millions more for the county’s schools

The Cambridgeshire Schools Forum – chaired by Bottisham Village College chair of governors Philip Hodgson – has been leading the campaign, supported by Cambridgeshire County Council, academies and maintained schools and the region’s MPs.

The Chancellor announced in his Spending Review on Wednesday that a national funding formula for schools would be in place for the year 2015-16.

Cllr David Harty, the county council’s cabinet member for education and learning said: “We are delighted that the continuing lobbying of the Cambridgeshire Schools’ Forum, county councillors and local MPs has finally resulted in a firm commitment to address the low funding issues that have faced Cambridgeshire’s schools for far too long.

“Although we recognise there is still a long way to go for complete equity across the country, the move to introduce a national funding formula from 2015/16 provides some light at the end of the tunnel.”

Philip Hodgson, chair of the Cambridgeshire Schools’ Forum added: “This is very welcome news, and we are extremely grateful for support we have had from head teachers, governors and parents.”