HAMPSHIRE schools are set to get £34 million extra over the next two years according to figures released by education chiefs.

But teachers are saying it’s not enough - and doesn’t take into account rising costs.

Central government says its new funding formula will see money doled out more evenly across the country.

But critics in Hampshire say the county has been underfunded for too long - and the new formula will affect small rural schools adversely.

Executive head teacher Julie Turvey from Hounsdown School said schools will “still struggle” as the new formula doesn’t take into account rising costs of salaries, pensions, or utilities.

She said: “It’s going to be challenging moving forward.

"Although the local authority is saying no school will lose out on funding in real terms, they will because the money they are being given is not enough.

"The picture is not good but it’s going to get worse. They are getting a 0.3 to 0.5 per cent rise but need three to six per cent.”

Lib Dem councillor Jackie Porter claims schools will not be able to replace teachers who retire in three years' time.

She said: “The number of adults to children will reduce drastically.

“Schools will be thousands of pounds worse off.

"We have to take into account the minimum wage which affects support staff, and smaller schools in leafy areas will get less money than bigger schools.”

Phil Baker from Eastleigh Labour party said: “Latest figures by the National Education Union indicate that 407 out of 492 Hampshire schools will face cuts, amounting to £25.6m by 2020 and equivalent to £151 per pupil and 541 less teachers.”

But Tory leader of Hampshire County Council Cllr Roy Perry said he is “delighted” at the news.

Cllr Perry said it shows “the strength of support for the education system”.

The county council's education chief Cllr Peter Edgar added that the county is “one of the lowest funded authority areas in the country” and said he will work to get equal funding “high on the government agenda”.