TORY council bosses have said it is “disappointing” that funding for new school developments has been scrapped by central government.

Education Secretary Michael Gove yesterday axed the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme meaning six schools earmarked for improvement in the borough will not go through.

It means the projects at Bishop Douglas RC, Copthall, Oak Lodge, St Mary's CE High, The Pavillion, and The Ravenscroft, have all been stopped.

Councillor Andrew Harper, Barnet Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for education, children and families, said: “Of course it is disappointing that the funding earmarked to improve six Barnet schools will not be available, but we knew this day was coming.

"In light of the public finances it is inevitable that some of the BSF programmes would come to an end and it is unfortunate that Barnet was not allowed to enter the programme earlier.”

The scheme had been criticised for overspending, delays and “botched” development, and only East Barnet school, which was opened last month, has successfully been completed under the BFS in the borough.

Cllr Harper claimed the ending of the scheme did not mean the work they had already done “has been in vain”.

In a series of pledges, he said: “ We will build on the tremendous amount of good work we have already done in sharing best practice and developing new ways of teaching, as well as building relationships with other institutions.

“We will use this opportunity to look again at how we improve the condition of secondary schools in Barnet and the sufficiency of school places.”

"I am confident Barnet's reputation for first class schools will remain as strong as ever.”