A SENIOR Worcestershire Tory in charge of schools has defended the rise of academies - claiming "millions" went to waste under the old system.

Councillor Liz Eyre, the cabinet member for children and families at County Hall, says the improvement in school results across Worcestershire in recent years shows the changes are working.

More than 90 per cent of primaries and 82 per cent of secondaries are now good or outstanding according to Ofsted, and Key Stage 4 results have seen ongoing steady improvements.

Worcestershire now has 59 academy and two free schools independent of council control, but as your Worcester News revealed last month the conversions have resulted in a £1.7 million funding cut for 2015/16 at County Hall.

Each change also means county taxpayers have to fork out around £10,000 in administrative costs, as we exclusively reported in December.

Cllr Eyre said: "We have moved away from direct intervention to a model where it's all about support and challenge, which I think is more helpful.

"It gives us an opportunity to be more robust, and our challenge is not only provided by us but by partners, for example in terms of academies you've got the regional schools commissioner who works with us, which is very good."

Speaking during a full council meeting, she was challenged by Labour Councillor Robin Lunn, a former Mid-Worcestershire parliamentary candidate, who asked why she thought "support and challenge is more helpful" than the previous system.

"The outcomes show that it's working," she said.

"I've seen that shift in relationship, the stepping back and focusing.

"I saw for a huge period of time, massive amounts of money go into schools to support them - millions for particular schools, and they didn't get the outcomes we're getting today.

"So over a long period of time over which I've seen that change, I think it works today."

It suggests the Conservative leadership will be pushing for more conversions over the coming year.

Her comments come despite fury from county headteachers over the threat of cuts to funding during the next parliament.

Prime Minister David Cameron has revealed a proposal to offer schools 'per pupil' funding which would be protected in cash terms during the next parliament, but not keep pace with inflation.

He also wants to convert hundreds more into academies and says an extra £7 billion will go towards extra school places, but that the 'per-student' funds will be a "flat cash" offer which would reduce in value with inflation.

Independent experts have said that would mean a 'real term' cut of between seven and 10 per cent by 2020.