NOTHING can be done to change how grammar schools are funded until after the general election, a Southend MP has warned.

Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, is due to hand the Government a petition signed by more than 1,000 people, protesting against the system which means grammar schools get less money because they teach fewer underprivileged children.

Southend High School for Boys, Southend High School for Girls, Westcliff High for Boys, and Westcliff High School for Girls all claim to be facing a serious funding crisis and blame it on the system.

They fear without a chance, they will be unable to pay their staff in two years time, and in the meantime, are cutting costs by making classes bigger and reducing the amount of teaching time some pupils get.

However, the local MP says nothing can be done until after May.

He explained: “The Secretary of State, Nicky Morgan, is very well aware of the issue, but says in reality, nothing can now be done in terms of legislation until after the general election.”

As well as the petition, more than 3,000 have also signed an online petition Part of the funding each school receives from Whitehall is based on the number of pupils eligible for free school meals – a measure of deprivation – with schools with more children from deprived homes getting more.

With only 5 per cent of its pupils from such backgrounds, Southend High School for Boys gets £4,503 per pupil and Westcliff High School for Girls even less –£4,449.

Southend High School for Girls fares a little better, with £4,540 per pupil. In contrast, Futures Community College gets £6,748.

Sir David said: “I support all schools in my constituency whether they be academies, comprehensives or grammar schools.

“I’m listening very carefully to all the points they are making, but they know only too well I have to be mindful of the needs of the children of other constituents who are not at the grammar schools.

“I want the parents to know all their voices will be heard.”

Dr Robin Bevan, headteacher of Southend High School for Boys, added: “We knew when we started the campaign there were various successes we hoped to achieve, but we have always been realistic.

“We knew it was quite probable the funding formula and mechanisms were not going to be changed in two or three months.”