SOME schools in the region spend more than twice as much on their pupils than others, figures show.

A number of secondary schools in the North-East and North Yorkshire paid out more than £9,000 per pupil in 2009-10, while others spent less than £4,500. The national average is £5,212.

Among the highest spenders in the region was Gillbrook College, in South Bank, Middlesbrough, which spent £9,127 per pupil.

In comparison, Nunthorpe School, in Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, spent only £4,389.

Elsewhere, Durham Community Business College, in Ushaw Moor, near Durham City, paid out just under £8,000, while St Leonard’s Roman Catholic Comprehensive School, in Durham City, spent £4,440 per pupil.

The figures also revealed big differences between spending on supply teachers, catering and administration costs. The data has been revealed for the first time as part of annual school league tables published today by the Department for Education.

Schools in the region continue to figure highly in the tables.

Parkside Sports College, in Crook, County Durham, was third nationally, up one place from last year, in the 100 best secondary schools at helping children progress from ages 11 to 16.

Shotton Hall School, in Peterlee, was sixth.

Dyke House Sports and Technology College, in Hartlepool, and Fyndoune Community College, in Sacriston, County Durham, also featured high on the list.

Schools in the region were also among the most improved in the country.

Farringdon Community Sports College, in Sunderland, and Sunnydale Community College for Maths and Computing, in Shildon, County Durham, appeared high on a list of the most improved schools.

For the first time this year, schools will be measured according to how many pupils achieved grades at C or above in five core subjects – English, maths, at least one science, a foreign language and a humanities subject.

The new target has been named the English baccalaureate, or bac for short.

Previously, schools were ranked by the proportion of pupils who gained grade C and above in English, maths and three or more unspecified subjects.

■ To view the performance of all schools in the region, visit education.gov.uk/performancetables from 9.30am.