TEACHERS and parents are dipping into their own pockets to foot a legal challenge against the Government's treatment of Worcestershire schools.

They are clubbing together pay for a "top London barrister" and use human rights grounds to challenge the education formula which discriminates against pupils.

The unprecedented step follows Education Minister Stephen Timms' statement last week that he had "no plans" at present to give schools extra help.

They had hoped for a repeat of the £1.35m paid last year, on top of the spending settlement, in recognition of the fact the funding formula - due to be changed in 2003 - is "unfair".

But, in a letter read out in Parliament last night, the Worcestershire Headteachers Forum said it was raising funds for a High Court challenge under Human Rights legislation.

The forum - which needs teachers, governors and parents to help - claims the Government is "knowingly not treating the children of Worcestershire equally, compared to virtually all other education authorities".

"Funds are available to correct this discrimination - the DfES had over £1bn unspent in the last year - yet the Government has 'no plans at present' to correct this iniquitous and discriminatory policy," said the letter.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff, who read out the letter, told MPs the crisis in Worcestershire was "so deep that people are prepared to take that extraordinary step".

But Worcester MP Mike Foster said the first he heard of it was from Mr Luff in the Chamber of the Commons.

"I can't understand why in the 1990s the same heads never said a word.

"The Government has said it's changing the formula. I'm mystified as to why they'd want to go to court now."

He says schools may yet receive extra cash for the 2002/3 financial year.

"Despite the promise given by the previous government about the funding problem, nothing has happened," said County education director Julien Kramer. "It shouldn't have reached this extreme position. The Department for Education and Skills underspent last year by £1.5bn. I'm astonished they couldn't sort this out."

The forum's chairman, Droitwich High headteacher Cledwyn Davies, said "total and utter frustration" had led to the move.

"A similar school in Birmingham will get £500,000 more a year, which means an extra 12 teachers, 12 computers and 10,000 textbooks.

"We're asked to conform to national standards, but we've got one arm amputated because we don't have the same funding."

Heads and governing bodies will be asked to give £5 to the Fair Funding Fighting Fund to help with legal fees.

TEACHERS and parents are dipping into their own pockets to foot a legal challenge against the Government's treatment of Worcestershire schools.

They are clubbing together pay for a "top London barrister" and use human rights grounds to challenge the education formula which discriminates against pupils.

The unprecedented step follows Education Minister Stephen Timms' statement last week that he had "no plans" at present to give schools extra help.

They had hoped for a repeat of the £1.35m paid last year, on top of the spending settlement, in recognition of the fact the funding formula - due to be changed in 2003 - is "unfair".

But, in a letter read out in Parliament last night, the Worcestershire Headteachers Forum said it was raising funds for a High Court challenge under Human Rights legislation.

The forum - which needs teachers, governors and parents to help - claims the Government is "knowingly not treating the children of Worcestershire equally, compared to virtually all other education authorities".

"Funds are available to correct this discrimination - the DfES had over £1bn unspent in the last year - yet the Government has 'no plans at present' to correct this iniquitous and discriminatory policy," said the letter.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff, who read out the letter, told MPs the crisis in Worcestershire was "so deep that people are prepared to take that extraordinary step".

But Worcester MP Mike Foster said the first he heard of it was from Mr Luff in the Chamber of the Commons.

"I can't understand why in the 1990s the same heads never said a word.

"The Government has said it's changing the formula. I'm mystified as to why they'd want to go to court now."

He says schools may yet receive extra cash for the 2002/3 financial year.

"Despite the promise given by the previous government about the funding problem, nothing has happened," said County education director Julien Kramer. "It shouldn't have reached this extreme position. The Department for Education and Skills underspent last year by £1.5bn. I'm astonished they couldn't sort this out."

The forum's chairman, Droitwich High headteacher Cledwyn Davies, said "total and utter frustration" had led to the move.

"A similar school in Birmingham will get £500,000 more a year, which means an extra 12 teachers, 12 computers and 10,000 textbooks.

"We're asked to conform to national standards, but we've got one arm amputated because we don't have the same funding."

Heads and governing bodies will be asked to give £5 to the Fair Funding Fighting Fund to help with legal fees.