The Standards Fund allocations show how difficult it would be for schools to be funded by a national per-pupil formula. The dependence on pupil numbers to determine funding is too simplistic.

Sunderland has developed a sophisticated “activity-led” model that gives finance to schools takng into account the fixed cost of “opening the doors” as well as pupil numbers.

I look forward to a debate about how true activity-led school funding can be put in place. Only by recognising the need for specific extra funding for deprivation, small schools, rural transport and so on, will a common formula be found.

David Jones Assistant director (strategic services)Education and community services Civic Centre Sunderland