ANGRY school heads have slammed a decision to delay 'fairer funding' for another year.

New education secretary Justine Greening released a statement yesterday (Thursday) saying a new funding formula, previously expected to be put in place from 2017, will now be delayed until 2018/19.

She said the delay is necessary because it is a "once in a generation opportunity for an historic change and that we must get our approach right."

However, Worcestershire's heads have reacted angrily with one saying it is "beyond bonkers" and another describing himself as "bitterly disappointed."

Worcestershire has long been fighting for a greater share of funding from central government, with heads arguing the unfair formula means county schools receive less money than identical schools elsewhere.

A government consultation published earlier this year had started the process of introducing a new national funding formula in 2017 - but this will now be put back.

Neil Morris, head at Christopher Whitehead Language College in Worcester, said: "I expect nothing from our politicians and my expectations have been fulfilled.

"I've had nine education secretaries in my 13 year headship and in those years we've fallen behind on funding further and further and further.

"The clue is in the name fairer funding. Everyone agrees it's right and proper. It should have happened years ago.

"I went on a march in 2003, my first year of headship. Here we are in 2016, 17, 18 and we are still talking about the same thing.

"What people don't understand is how it is affecting schools - your children, my children.

"We do amazingly well but we have to make unpalatable decisions based on finance.

"Everyday we are cutting and there isn't much more we can cut.

"It's an unfair playing field.

"We are competing with the Manchester Uniteds, the Etons, the King Edwards - we are fighting with them but we are being funded like Worcester City football club. It is beyond bonkers and it drastically affects the children and the standard of education they are getting."

Sean Devlin, head of Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, said: "It's broken promise, after broken promise, after broken promise. 
"Why should we believe it will ever happen?
"It has gone on year after year after year now. 
"Some schools are very under financed but still expected to perform at good and outstanding levels. 
"Children are being deprived of opportunities and success."

Clive Corbett, head of Pershore High School, said the government's recent financial changes, such as those to National Insurance, would add a quarter of a million pounds to his school's expenditure alone in "unfunded pay rises."

He said: "I've feared this for several weeks.

"What we are all having to do is to dip where possible into our reserves and going forward from September 2017 we really need at least £300 per pupil funding if we are going to keep our heads above water.

"Now we know we aren't going to get any increase in our funding until 2018 at the earliest I think we are all heading into extremely difficult times.

"I'd appeal to the government and to our local MPs to push for those going to be badly affected this year to have some temporary funding for a year."

However, Mr Corbett said he had no time for politicians adding: "They've been so concerned about Brexit and new Conservative leaders and new Labour leaders, when what we were promised all along is we would have it sooner rather than later.

"I'm quite angry and upset."

Steve Powell, head of Nunnery Wood High School, said: “This is a blow for Worcestershire schools which have managed falling budgets so far without damaging the education of our students.
"It’s vital that the hard work of Robin Walker MP and others is recognised and that the new Education Secretary makes this a priority.”