Schools across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin will benefit from more than £4.4 million in funding next year thanks to a Government scheme aimed at helping disadvantaged pupils, it has been claimed.

The Government’s pupil premium will add to money provided for the poorest pupils and schools in deprived areas. Schools in Shropshire will get more than £2.1 million and those in Telford & Wrekin will have more than £2.3 million.

Aggie Caesar-Homden, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for education and skills, said: “Shropshire schools and educational establishments will receive an extra £246,000 through the pupil premium funding from the Government.

“This is set to increase the amount of funding that Shropshire receives from £1.891 million to £2.137 million in 2011/12.”

“The pupil premium has been announced to double in total in 2012/13, and then to double again by 2014/15, so the total figure will reach £7 million by 2014.

“We welcome the extra funding Shropshire schools will receive for children from low income families.”