SOMERSET County Council has awarded nearly £750,000 to schools which saw a rise in pupil numbers in September.

The council, which is responsible for allocating a school place to every school-age child whose parents apply for a place, gave the Growth Fund money to 21 schools, including two in South Somerset – Greenfylde First in Ilminster and South Petherton Junior School.

Once schools receive the Growth Fund money it is down to their governors to decide how to use it, perhaps on extra teaching or support staff, or on additional learning resources or equipment.

Greenfylde head Claire Oaten said: “We’ve used the Growth Fund to enhance and extend our playground facilities, and invest in additional resources for children’s teaching and learning.”

The council allows maintained schools or academies to apply for a Growth Fund grant to help them accommodate a higher-than-expected pupil intake.

Schools have to prove they meet the criteria set by the Somerset Schools Forum, including significant pressure on their resources because of a rise in pupil numbers over the previous year.

Pupil numbers are recorded every October through a national pupil census which determines how much money an individual school will receive in its overall budget the following year.

Cllr Frances Nicholson, cabinet member for Children and Families, said: “Our duty and commitment to Somerset’s children is to ensure that every child who applies to us for a school place is offered a school place.

“Linked to that commitment, we’re pleased to be able to offer and give extra support to all schools which meet the additional funding criteria so they’re supported as their pupil numbers rise.”