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Figures show the highest figure, at The Laurel Academy in Mexborough, is nearly double the lowest – and the cost of a 2009 funding deal is being blamed for the difference.

The Laurel, previously Mexborough Academy, was built using Private Finance Initiative money, with the private sector funding construction.

Government data reveals it received £8,013 in funding for each of its 658 pupils this academic year. Ridgewood School was allocated the lowest per-pupil sum, £4,866, for its 1,172 students.

The Laurel Academy, formerly Mexborough Academy, received the highest amount of money per pupil in Doncaster. Picture: Google

Hall Cross Academy, with the most pupils (1,369) came 10th, with £5,429.

The Laurel Academy said: “We have reviewed the figures provided and they do not always compare like with like. For example, the figure for The Laurel includes funding for other items, including the PFI scheme. When these amounts are removed, the funding for The Laurel is much more in line with other schools in Doncaster.”

Doncaster Council assistant director of education, Leanne Hornsby, said: “Doncaster’s funding model for schools is based on the DfE’s national funding formula. What this means is that all schools receive the same baseline funding, this is then topped up based on different school’s individual circumstances. For example, as per national guidelines, a proportion of additional funding is allocated to areas of deprivation. Comparing schools like for like can often be misleading as it does not take external influences into consideration, such as the size of the school and the impact of PFI funding.”

Two years ago, former chairman of governors at Mexborough Academy, Sean Gibbons, warned the cost of paying PFI costs was putting potential sponsors off taking over the school after Wakefield City Academies Trust collapsed. It was later taken on by Delta Academies.

Ridgewood School, Barnsley Road, Scawsby, received the smallest sum per pupil in Doncaster.

A single national funding formula is due to start in 2021.

A DfE spokesman added: "We are levelling up funding to ensure all schools have the right investment to deliver an outstanding education.”

Doncaster schools with the lowest funding per pupil: Ridgewood School (£4,866), The Hayfield School (£4,898), Hungerhill School (£4,981)

Doncaster schools with the highest funding per pupil: XP East (£5,783), Sir Thomas Wharton Academy (£6,558), The Laurel Academy (£8,013)

This is why officials say one Doncaster school receives nearly twice as much money per pupil as another