Additional funding for academies 'may hinder poorer schools'

Schools converting to academies may benefit from higher levels of funding, despite the budget cuts facing most public-sector organisations.

According to an investigation by the Guardian, some academies are receiving as much as ten per cent of their annual budgets as a bonus for converting.

One school, Balcarras in Cheltenham, revealed that it is to receive an extra £575,000 this year as a result of its change in status, a significant amount in addition to its regular £6 million budget.

Peter Downes, Liberal Democrat councillor, told the news provider: "On the whole, this is directing resources to the most privileged. In this way, life gets harder at the bottom of the heap.

The dice are massively loaded in favour of academies, in terms of funding. But my thesis is that this is simply not sustainable."

More than 600 schools have converted to academies in England so far, with the coalition government actively encouraging institutions to do so. 

Meet the Teaching Personnel news team >>