A ROW has broken out over how a cash injection for helping disadvantaged children at Peebles High School should be spent.

The Pupil Equity Funding is being allocated directly to all schools from central government to target children most affected by the poverty related attainment gap.

But insiders at Peebles High claim the money could be used to fund teacher promotions.

The Peeblesshire News revealed back in February that the secondary school had been awarded a share of £1.8 million coming to the Borders from the government.

All 59 primaries in the region as well as the nine high schools are to receive Pupil Equity Fund money in a bid to improve attainment levels.

But many are unhappy with plans over how the £56,400 of funding going to Peebles High is to be spent.

One school insider told the Peeblesshire News: "The head teacher, Campbell Wilson, announced that the school had received the grant to support students and families in the most deprived areas - to support their access to resources and also support their access to learning.

"However, instead of this funding going towards helping the families who desperately need these resources, the money is being spent to fund teachers into promoted posts within the school."

A requirement of obtaining the funding is for a detailed spending plan to be drawn up on where the money will go.

But it is ultimately at the discretion of decision makers within each school.

The insider added: "Many people, including teachers from the school, think this (the spending plan) is morally unacceptable and have asked who made this decision.

"We have not received any answers."

Although Peebles High has drafted its plan, education bosses refused to share it with the Peeblesshire News this week.

Scottish Borders Council's education department said that no spending decision had yet been finalised.

A spokesperson told us: "The money goes directly to schools and is targeted at improving the attainment of those children most affected by poverty.

“As yet, no final decision has been made on how the money will be spent.

"The school has a draft plan that they have already discussed with the Parent Council and staff members.

"The next step is to consult with a focus group of pupils before the plan is finalised.

“At the launch of Pupil Equity Funding earlier this year, the Scottish government encouraged schools to take time to plan carefully and to consult widely before committing funds.”