A £15 billion boost for schools, as announced by Chancellor Gordon Brown, will probably be deemed as the perfect end to the academic term by parents countywide.

However, local lecturers and members of one of the most active teaching unions fear it will serve to widen the academic divide.

Figures officially spoke louder than words on Tuesday, as millions applauded the chancellor for placing education at the top of his agenda in his third comprehensive spending review.

The much-needed boost, forms part of a £61 billion package of public spending designed to bring the country in line with Europe in terms of education.

Fears have already emerged, following the chancellors accompanying speech, in which he revealed the Government's intentions to allocate a substantial amount of the spend to schools facing the most "demanding of challenges".

Local teacher and branch secretary for the NUT, Mr Jon Berry said: "Without wishing to name any schools in the local area, I do not think it is hard to conclude those likely to receive additional assistance and support, it will be the most popular and academic schools most likely to serve the Government in meeting its targets.

"To introduce business practices such as this to an occupation where human beings are at the heart, really does run contrary to what education is all about.

"What looks good at Whitehall, will not necessarily look good on the streets of Watford."

Local Labour MP, Claire Ward welcomed the news as a huge boost for education.

She said: "At the last election, Labour promised to put schools and hospitals first.

"In the budget, we delivered the largest ever increase in NHS spending.

"Now the Government has delivered more for education our number one priority with the biggest ever sustained rise in school's budgets."

Conservative MP for south west Hertford shire, Richard Page criticised the Governments recent announcement, in its failure to designate specific funds to the educational infrastructure to expand class sizes.

He said: "At present, one of the biggest problems in my constituency is that of school places.

"Seventy to 100 children in south west Herts are still failing to obtain a place at any one of their preferred primary/secondary schools.

"We need to make a serious investment in the infrastructure of the system, to provide an additional form of entry. We simply cannot carry on bolting temporary classrooms onto the side of schools.

"Children need proper provisions which enable them to have access to key facilities such as the libraries and science laboratories."