DARLINGTON Borough Council has slammed the “unprecedented dire situation” facing the town’s schools and pledged to lobby the Government in any way possible for more money.

A motion passed by the local authority criticised the “one size fits all” funding formula adopted by the Government which did not take into account particular issues facing Darlington.

Headteachers from across secondary schools in the borough have already written to parents of children warning of a severe funding shortfall in the years to come, which could amount to more than £6.5m.

School funding shortfalls elsewhere in the region also saw award winning teacher Howard Blindt, from Gainford C of E Primary School, in County Durham last week quit, a move he said was in order to balance its books.

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, cabinet member for children and young people, moved the motion at a full council meeting, which said: “This council does not want children in this country to miss out on a decent education, supplied by dedicated teachers and support staff with sufficient resources.”

Councillors with pecuniary or personal interests in respect of schools in the borough were granted special dispensation to debate the motion with a number declaring they were in such a position.

Cllr Hughes’ Labour colleague Councillor Nick Wallis submitted a successful amendment to the motion to take into account the extra £1.3bn for schools in England announced recently by Education Secretary Justine Greening.

He said at least 11 schools across Darlington were still set to lose cash in real terms by 2020/21, despite the Government’s “partial U-turn” on school funding.

Cllr Wallis said: “The education of our children cannot be reduced to a postcode lottery and the funding disparity [that the formula causes] will do exactly that.”

He added: “Like much of the public sector our schools are in crisis, can it be right for example that there are schools which have to resort to asking parents for donations of books and other material?

“As a council we must stand all square behind our schools so that none receive a real terms cut in funding.”

Councillor Ian Haszeldine said: “These young people are our future, they deserve a future. If our schools are not funded properly what sort of education are they going to get?”

The motion and amendment passed did not, however, receive cross-party support, with Conservative Councillor Charles Johnson, calling for it to be withdrawn.

And despite supporting the motion, Councillor Alan Coultas accused Labour members of “politicking around a key issue”.

He said: “The most powerful way to send messages to Government is to work together.”