SCHOOLS serving some of Swindon’s most deprived areas have had their budgets slashed by hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Funding meant for children from deprived backgrounds will be spread move evenly among educational institutions after a new system was ratified.

The proposals had been fiercely contested on the grounds that the schools in some of the most deprived areas would be the hardest hit.

The new regime was drawn up by the Schools Forum, an independent body which includes headteachers, governors and union representatives and advises the local authority on funding.

A council spokesman confirmed the plans had been approved under delegated powers by John Gilbert, director of children’s services.

Churchfields Academy, which contested the move, will lose £281,520, Nova Hreod £338,947 and Dorcan Technology College £166,025. But funding to Isambard Community School will increase by £238,652, Kingsdown by £227,428 and Commonweal by £197,017.

The proposals were likened by Churchfields’ headteacher Steve Flavin to “the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood”.

He has cited figures showing 40 per cent of pupils claim free school meals at Churchfields, compared to just 13 per cent at Isambard.

Up to nine members of school staff will face redundancy at Churchfields alone, with the other schools staying tight-lipped about the impact.

Paul Gregory, trustee and chair of Churchfields’ board, said Mr Flavin had received a six-page letter from Mr Gilbert attempting to justify his decision.

“However, the fact remains that the pupils of Churchfields Academy have been robbed of almost a third of a million pounds,” he said. “The director of children’s services is redistributing this to pupils in wealthier parts of the town. This is morally indefensible.”

Coun David Renard, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “I am satisfied that the proper consultation and decision-making processes were followed.”

Supporters of the new system said other schools had been underfunded after a series of grants was provided in 2000 to help four secondary schools, including Churchfields, out of special measures.

The council said the new system, worked out by a formula based on pupil numbers, was simpler and fairer. The changes take effect in September, with Government grants channelled into an overall fund shared between schools and academies.