CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride has met schools minister Nick Gibb to discuss the proposed new formula for calculating how much funding schools across the UK receive.

Small rural schools, accounting for the majority in Devon, are set to receive more money but larger primary schools and secondary schools could potentially lose out with cuts of around one per cent.

Mr Stride has met, spoken to or corresponded with 120 teachers, governors and parents in his constituency over the proposals – and recently visited the three secondary schools in his Central Devon constituency including South Dartmoor in Ashburton which has lost out in the formula cut.

The MP has also held discussions with headteachers at a number of local primaries including Christow, Exminster, Bovey Tracey, Chudleigh and Buckfastleigh.

He said after his meeting with the minister: ‘The Government is right to look at the current national funding formula which for decades has left rural areas underfunded compared to urban centres.

‘Although 12 of the 18 schools in the Teignbridge part of my constituency are set to benefit from up to 2.2 per cent more funding, the larger schools could potentially lose out by up to 1.4 per cent, and I know that this will be a challenge to absorb.’

He added: ‘The minister listened carefully to the feedback I provided and I am cautiously optimistic that some changes may be possible to improve the funding for South Dartmoor Community College and some of the larger primaries.’

Mr Stride has been actively involved with the Fairer Funding for Devon Schools campaign for the best part of a decade, stemming back to before he became an MP in 2010.