A KNUTSFORD primary school renowned across the county as expert in teaching children with learning difficulties has said it will no longer be able to do what it does, after a change in the distribution of funding.

Bexton Primary School, on Blackhill Lane, currently has 17 children with special educational needs (SEN) on its books.

Those children are given – in some cases – 20 hours a week in one-to-one sessions.

But Cheshire East Council has changed how its SEN funding is distributed, meaning larger schools with more statemented children, such as Bexton, have to spread their cash across more pupils than some other schools who have less.

Paul Dolan, head teacher at Bexton Primary, said the change in how the funding had been allocated was ‘frustrating’.

“We’ve lost some money, including individual pupil funding, which has gone from across the whole of Cheshire,” he said.

“But we have the perfect storm at Bexton because we are a big school. The smaller schools have a lump sum and we have the same, but have less money because we are bigger.

“We are very, very good at dealing with special needs children. We are going to have to try and exist with the funding we have, but people were recommending us in Macclesfield and we won’t be able to accept them anymore.

“It has been very frustrating and, when in the past we’ve been able to accept children from across the town and outside the catchment area, that won’t be possible.”

But Clr Rachel Bailey, cabinet member with responsibility for children and family services, said: “Firstly, there is no reduction in SEN funding from Cheshire East Council.

“Rather, the same amount is being distributed in a different way in light of changes brought in by the Government from April this year.

“While the task is extremely complex, the overriding principle has been that more funding should be devolved to schools to help them meet pupils’ needs earlier, rather than having to wait for the often lengthy statement process to be completed.

“Any suggestion that we are withdrawing support for children with SEN could not be further from the truth.

“Under the new arrangements, a greater number of pupils will be eligible for additional support, just at varying levels.

“Funding is extremely tight and continues to be a major issue, as Cheshire East is one of the lowest funded local authorities in the country when it comes to schools.

“This is in contrast to position of schools.

“Early indications for 2012/2013 show that schools will have considerable financial reserves.

“Cheshire East has been asked to introduce far-reaching and complex changes.

“It is important that schools and unions do not make irresponsible and inflammatory comments that mislead and upset parents and pupils.”