THE head teacher at Axe Valley Community College has criticised the lack of funding for pupils in the area.

THE head teacher at Axe Valley Community College has criticised the lack of funding for pupils in the area.

Martin Smith's response comes following revelations that the county is one of the worst funded authorities in England.

The national average funding per-pupil across local authorities is �4,218 a year. However, in Devon, the figure stands at �3,843 - the fourth lowest.

Mr Smith said: "I am appalled by the difference in levels of funding for schools in England. Children in Devon are seriously disadvantaged by the low level of funding the county receives from central government.

"If you look at the list of local authorities that are worst funded, they are typically rural counties. We all acknowledge that schools in large cities face significant challenges and therefore, require appropriate funding.

"But schools in rural counties often have different obstacles - for example, the cost of transporting children to further education colleges, so they can have the opportunity to access vocational training. This is not reflected in the funding arrangements."

He added that more than 20 per cent of secondary schools in Devon made staff redundant, largely as a result of lack of funding.

Mr Smith said: "Staff and governors in Devon schools deserve praise for providing such a high quality of education for children with the limited financial resources they are given."

The figures were released following a Freedom of Information request by David Laws, the Liberal Democrat education spokesman.