Walsall’s schools have lost out on £450,000 in Government funding because a census of borough pupil numbers went wrong.

Red-faced school bosses will now have to revise spending plans to cover the shortfall after the error by six primaries. The Department of Children Schools and Families says it is unable to offer any more funding which is given to schools to run their budgets.

Heads have been told the problem was caused when the six schools carried out the census incorrectly, getting their pupil numbers wrong.

As a result the borough’s school cash allocation was £117.1 million, £450,000 lower than it should have been for 2008 to 2009.

Walsall Children’s Services assistant managing director Avril Walton said: “Ahead of the funding allocation, staff were asked to complete a school census. This is a very complex document which details a range of information on pupils – including numbers – and is used for a variety of reasons.

“The conclusion of this process has highlighted some minor discrepancies which means our allocation falls short. But it is important to stress that no individual school will be significantly under-funded as a result.”

A report says steps have been put in place at senior management level to ensure the mistake is not repeated.

The education service, run by private firm Serco, is hopeful of being able to cover the shortfall in this financial year or the sum will be carried over.

The finance team has been told to look again at the budget for 2009 to 2011 while schools have been advised to check their census in future before making submissions.

Pool Hayes Arts & Community School head Jim Clarke said he was unhappy about the situation but added: “Once individual schools get to know what their particular adjustment will be they will have to see where savings can be made.”