SEVEN schools in the Middlewich area are set to lose more than £700,000 between them if a new funding formula is passed by the Government.

Proposals, which are currently under consultation until late March, would see historically poorly-funded east Cheshire schools become the worst off in the country with a total loss of almost £23 million within the borough.

Middlewich High School head Keith Simpson says his school could lose its celebrated emotionally healthy schools programme, with projected cuts of £417 per student by 2019.

Headteacher Keith Simpson said: “We wish to maintain our nationally recognised work around inclusion and emotional mental health, I know the new fair funding formula will have a clear impact on us being able to maintain this work.

“All head teachers acknowledge that the Government requires schools to find £3bn in savings by 2019/2022 – but in real terms this is a cut to budgets of eight per cent for secondary schools. On top of these cuts, as a high school we will need to find another £68,000 (two per cent) if the new Fair Funding Formula is implemented.

“As a traditional school that has a very strong holistic approach to education, that is well received by our children and families, we believe that this lack of foresight needs to be understood by the local community.

“I would ask that everyone who believes in our young people raises the question to the Government of why children in the north west, and particularly in east Cheshire will receive the lowest amounts of funds for their future than other children nationally.”

The high school’s cuts represent an eight per cent reduction, with other schools in the area suffering even greater cuts. Similarly, west Cheshire schools would be dealt more than £22 million in cuts.

Wimboldsley Primary School, a school of just over 100 pupils which achieved the best SATs results across west Cheshire and Chester, would see an 18 per cent cut in funding equating to £749 per pupil.

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and Warmingham Primary School would each see cuts of 10 per cent, with Cledford Primary School taking a nine per cent hit – a loss of almost £117,000.

Byley Primary School also receives an eight per cent cut, with Middlewich Primary School set to lose seven per cent of its funding – £106,295.

Fiona Bruce MP recently led a group including east Cheshire high school heads and borough council leader Cllr Rachel Bailey to meet schools minister, Nick Gibb MP.

With Mr Simpson unable to attend, Mrs Bruce invited him for a meeting in Parliament the following week to discuss the specific problems Middlewich High School faces.

Visit consult.education.gov.uk/funding-policy-unit/schools-national-funding-formula2 to see and take part in the consultation.