By Mark Flexman

SLOUGH schools are predicted to be hardest hit by funding cuts in Berkshire as most other areas benefit.

Institutions in the borough are estimated to lose around 2.3 per cent in funding.

In contrast, the research by The Education Policy Institute (EPI) shows schools in Bracknell Forest will benefit from a 5.1 per cent increase as a result of the financial shake-up.

The EPI analyse the impact of the government's new controversial funding formula and other financial pressures in schools to calculate their outcomes.

The EPI said: "The loss of funding is likely to be higher when taking into account budget pressures and the loss of grants."

A cut of £2.5m per year is also expected, which is almost twice what the government's data had originally indicated. Comparatively, Bracknell Forest's budget is set to increase by £3.2m under the new formula.

Out of Bracknell Forest's 33 schools, 37 are expected to gain funding, whereas 35 of 40 are expected to suffer cuts in Slough.

Reading, Wokingham, Windsor and Maidenhead will also benefit from the funding shake-up with West Berkshire the only other borough in the county seeing a reduction.

Councillor Sabia Hussain, deputy leader of the council, said: “This new research highlights that Slough schools are bearing the brunt of the government’s damaging funding proposals.”