SCHOOL funding should be redistributed to schools in the North in a bid to to raise standards, a thinktank has claimed.

According to IPPR North, Northern schools must be funded more fairly, in order to help tackle a growing divide in academic standards between schools in the North of England and those in London.

The report is being published with Teach First, a leading national charity.

New analysis by IPPR North reveals that northern secondary schools are, on average, funded £1,300 less per pupil compared to those in London. Meanwhile northern primary schools are funded £900 less than their counterparts in the capital.

It says the Government should address this gap in its forthcoming review of the schools national funding formula, introducing a larger ‘Powerhouse Premium’ for schools that work in disadvantaged areas of the country, and in areas where it is difficult to attract and retain teachers, could help to raise standards.

Addressing school standards must be at the heart of efforts to build a ‘Northern powerhouse’, the report argues.

IPPR North says that productivity is the crucial measure of economic success, and if the North matched the rate of labour productivity in the rest of the UK outside of London, its economy would be £29 billion (9.5 per cent) bigger than it is today.

Jonathan Clifton, associate director for Public Services at IPPR, and one of the report’s authors said: “Two decades ago London was the worst place to attend school if you were from a low income background, now London’s disadvantaged pupils achieve better outcomes than those in other parts of the country.

“The successful turnaround of London’s schools shows that educational disadvantage can be tackled though investment, strong leadership and collaboration. We need a similar level ambition for schools in the North. Smart policy and fair funding from government could transform children’s prospects and help build the northern powerhouse”

Ed Cox, director of IPPR North, added: “There should be no excuses for low-expectations of pupils’ potential. But nor should there be excuses on why schools in the North continually lose out because the funding system is skewed by the capital’s living costs.

"Fair funding is essential and a Powerhouse premium could achieve that aim.”

In response, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said: "At the heart of our education ?reforms is the mission of ensuring that every child receives an excellent education that enables them to fulfil their potential regardless of circumstances or geography.

"We are making progress with 1.4 million more children in good or outstanding schools than in 2010 and the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers falling."