YORK’S education boss has backed an urgent plea for funding for schools, saying the city is missing out on thousands of pounds per pupil.

Cllr Stuart Rawlings, City of York’s Conservative executive member for education, has backed a request for more funding which was made by his opposite numbers in the East Riding last week.

A row has been brewing for years over the schools funding formula which sees areas including York get around half the education funding of other parts of the country.

The Government had promised reform, but in July Education Secretary Justine Greening told MPs the changes would be put back from 2017/18 to 2018/19.

That prompted East Riding council bosses to make an urgent plea for interim funding for 2017/18, saying pupils would suffer and staff numbers may have to be cut.

Now Cllr Rawlings has joined that plea, saying York gets just £4,000 per pupil, while some areas get double that figure.

He said: “The delay in the new funding process is extremely disappointing and we will also be making representations to Government for additional interim funding.”

Cllr Rawlings said the low level of education funding is extremely challenging for the council, but he praised the staff and students who still manage to consistently achieve good results.

He added: “The level of commitment from pupils, teachers and support staff continues to produce excellent results at both GCSE and A-level, helping to give York one of the best educated workforces in the North.

“Just think what we could achieve given a more level playing field.”

York Outer MP Julian Sturdy is awaiting a response after writing to the Education Secretary saying he is dismayed and extremely disappointed with the delays.

He said: “I was incredibly disappointed by the delay that means York will continue to receive one of the lowest per pupil funding rates in the whole of England.

“The huge gulf between the winners and losers under the current formula strengthens the case for the Department for Education to consider a funding deal for schools in our area that will ensure they are sufficiently resourced for the 2017/18 academic year.”