EDUCATION chiefs in the county have laid out a step-by-step explanation of how £3.7m in school funds will be spent.

A five-page letter, which attacks Government allegations that Worcestershire's Education Directorate has withheld vital cash, was sent to Education Secretary Charles Clarke in response to a 10-day ultimatum.

It states the bulk of the cash, £2.5m, will be handed out in school improvement grants.

Of the rest, £400,000 will be given to schools taking on newly qualified teachers and the remaining £800,000 will be used where pupil numbers are high or unforeseen difficulties arise.

The Government says the money was supposed to be allocated at the beginning of the year's budget.

But Worcestershire County Council has defended its decision to delay the grants.

"Our top aim is to improve exam results and the level of education in Worcestershire's schools," said Adrian Hardman, cabinet member for resources.

"But because we do not yet know this year's exam results we can not distribute improvement funds.

"It seems sensible to us to wait until we know where the money will be best spent before we hand it out."

Once the money is allocated, individual schools will - within reason - be able to spend it as they see fit.

Confusion

The letter also clarifies the difference between the Government's £3.7m grant, to improve local schools, and a separate amount, £4.6m, which came from the council's own budget.

Confusion arose when the council decided to switch money from revenue to capital funding - from available finance to being tied up in longer-term projects.

The letter criticises the Government for implying the council has kept the £4.6m rather than stating it has been invested in projects such as school repairs and maintenance.

To improve relations, Worcestershire County Council has accepted an invitation to meet the Education Secretary to discuss the lack of funding for the county.

Mr Clarke claims Local Education Authorities (LEAs) across the country have withheld a total of £600m, while £58m has failed to reach schools across the West Midland region.

"I want every LEA to look closely at their spending plans to ensure the maximum amount is given to individual schools without delay," he said.