HEADS at all 30 of Worcestershire’s high schools have sent out letters to thousands of parents warning that another year of funding struggles will affect their children.

The letter says that the financial situation in the new school year will mean larger classes, fewer learning options and less support for the most vulnerable.

It recognises that a new method for allocating government money across the country has been a step towards a fairer system.

But the the heads say the gap between schools in Worcestershire and those over the border in southern Birmingham is still far too wide, and that year after year the county’s children have lived with this disadvantage.

Dr Tony Evans, head of Prince Henry’s High School in Evesham, said: “It is unfair that children being taught in Worcestershire receive less money than their peers in other parts of the country.

“Whilst this is the case, it will always be unfair for Worcestershire children and it demonstrates the value for money that is achieved by Worcestershire schools in terms of the outcomes achieved.

“Yet, with additional funding, we could achieve so much more. Prince Henry’s is part of the group of Worcestershire schools who have joined the national campaign to see that fair funding is received for our children.

“We are also campaigning for enhanced sixth-form funding, as the national rate of £4,000 per student has not increased for five years and is currently £5,000 less than what the universities charge for their tuition.”

The heads are backing the national Worth Less? Movement, and some will be among the 1,000 heads who will deliver this message to Downing Street on Friday, September 28.

Samantha Charles, chair of West Worcestershire Constituency Labour Party and a Malvern town councillor, said: “Myself and West Worcestershire Labour Party demand that Harriett Baldwin stand up for the parents and children in her constituency and rather than toe the Tory party line, challenge the government’s unfair pupil funding in our county.”