WORCESTER MP Mike Foster has claimed that £5m earmarked for a revamp of the education system in Hagley could be better spent raising standards.

He has written to headteachers in Worcester to ask how they would spend the money - given the chance.

The Labour MP said he had no problem with Worcestershire County Council scrapping Hagley's existing three-tier school system, and replacing it with primary and secondary schools.

But Mr Foster said he did object to the education authority spending £5m on the scheme - even though councillors admit it will "not in itself raise educational standards".

"Five million pounds would help raise standards in Worcestershire schools, but it's being spent in Hagley for no obvious need," he said.

"We all know Worcestershire isn't awash with cash, so it must be spent wisely.

"Raising standards in areas of need is more important than making changes that just benefit the administrative system.

"I've asked headteachers in Worcestershire what they would do with a share of £5m - my bet is they would have better, and more productive ways, of spending this cash on pupils."

Mr Foster, a Parliamentary aide to education minister Margaret Hodge, said it had been estimated £1.5m will be needed to convert first schools in Hagley to primary and a further £2.5m to build more classrooms at Haybridge High.

He added the neighbouring Hagley RC High would lose its share of the newly-built sports hall and would argue for a new one - at a cost of a further £1.3m.

In his letter to headteachers, Mr Foster asked for a swift response on how they would use the cash to tackle problems such as "disadvantage".

He said it was important to make a strong case before the decision to overhaul Hagley's schools was "rubber stamped".

Worcester was subject of an education review 18 months ago.

Worcestershire County Council is set to make its decision on the Hagley review on Thursday, February 21.