'228k will make sure no Cumbrian child is left behind' says MP

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today welcomed a £228,000 investment in Cumbrian schools to help pupils who have fallen behind in reading and maths before starting secondary school.

Yesterday at Lib Dem Party Conference in Brighton, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced that secondary schools will be given £500 for every pupil not securing a level four - the standard pupils are expected to achieve by the time they leave primary school at age 11 - in either reading or maths.

Latest figures showed that across the county 456 pupils fell short of the standard in both subjects. This means that £228,000 will be handed to education chiefs to help deliver additional support and tuition for the pupils. But the sum could be higher as pupils who only failed in one subject, will also get £500 for the school.

The Department for Education figures show 264 pupils (11 per cent) did not achieve the standard in reading and 360 (15 per cent) missed out in maths. The maximum payout the county could potentially receive is £312,000.

Tim said: "I have been working behind the scenes to try and make sure we give young people in Cumbria the start in life they deserve. The pupil premium paid to schools for every child they take from a disadvantaged background will now rise from the current £619 a pupil to £900 in September 2014. But I think there is more we can and must do. We have also secured nearly £250,000 to make sure every child gets the special help and support they need to reach their full potential. As a Dad I know what a little extra help can do, so this funding is really welcome."