A BLACKPOOL sixth form is one of several in Lancashire which will benefit from new arrangements for further education funding, according to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

St Mary's RC High School, St Walburgas Road, Blackpool, is one of 19 schools with sixth forms which will share an estimated £15 million between April 2002-3.

The LSC -- which takes over the responsibility for funding post-16 education in Lancashire from the Local Education Authority next April -- says this is an increase of more than £900,000 on last year's funding.

Stephen Tierney, head teacher at St Mary's said: "We are looking forward to working with the Learning and Skills Council in the hope that it will bring additional resources that can be used to further develop the quality of learning in the sixth form and help us meet the challenges of the new post 16 curriculum."

The LSC will deliver the funding via Blackpool Borough council. David Sanders, the council's director of education and cultural services, said: "It will enable maintained schools with sixth forms in the Fylde to approach next financial year with more confidence in the new funding regime."

Steve Palmer, executive director of the LSC Lancashire said: "The changes represent the final piece in the jigsaw in enabling the Learning and Skills council to bring a co-ordinated approach to the funding, planning and quality assurance of post 16 education in Lancashire.

"We fully recognise the value of school sixth forms in raising the learning achievements of young people and we look forward to working with them to meet the challenging targets set by the Government."