AN MP has urged the education secretary to stump up more cash for schools– saying pupils in her constituency have lost hundreds of pounds of funding a year.

Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman called a meeting with Damian Hinds, the Secretary of State for Education, to discuss the cuts to school funding in County Durham.

The meeting came about after Ms Goodman challenged Mr Hinds in Parliament over Prince Bishops Community Primary School, which she said has seen a funding cut of £611 per pupil since 2013.

During the meeting, the pair discussed these figures for Prince Bishops and other schools in the constituency, which have seen cuts of 10 per cent on average.

She said Mr Hinds argued that the school has seen a cash reduction of £100 per pupil, but that the Government figures do not take into account inflation– creating a false picture of school funding that does not match the budget cuts in real terms.

Speaking after the meeting, Ms Goodman said: “For schools in County Durham, the average real terms cut in school budgets has been 10 per cent.

"I’m really worried about the impact these cuts are having on our children’s education, and I am glad I was able to discuss this in detail with the Minister. I am disappointed he couldn’t promise me that there will be any extra money for children in our area, but I will continue to stand up for our schools and our children’s futures at every opportunity.”

Ms Goodman also told the Minister she feels extra money is needed for pupils with special educational needs, due to an increase in the numbers of children needing additional support.

And she highlighted 'inadequate funding' for music education.

She said: “We’ve got a great tradition of music in our county, which everyone’s going to be enjoying at the Gala in a few weeks’ time. I think it’s really important that we continue with that– it’s enjoyable, it’s good for children and it’s an important thing to learn and experience. But again, the Government hasn’t been funding it properly.”

Ms Goodman said neighbouring schools have had their budgets slashed, including Woodhouse Community Primary School which is down £558.52 per pupil and St Helen Auckland Primary which has seen cuts of £769.85 per child.