Sir Nicholas Soames MP has welcomed the announcement that there will be an additional £1.3 billion for schools funding over two years – helping to create more good school places in Mid Sussex.  

Education Secretary Justine Greening MP yesterday announced the boost to the core schools budget, which will deliver the biggest improvement to the school funding system for well over a decade. 

This additional funding to the fairer schools funding will mean an increase in the basic amount that every pupil will get, protected funding for those with high needs and will ensure every local authority is in a position to give schools a cash increase through the new formula.

This means that, working with teachers and schools across the country, we can continue to raise standards and give every child the best possible education, and the best opportunities for their future.

Sir Nicholas commented; “The Conservatives are committed to ending the postcode lottery of school funding – so all children receive the education they deserve, wherever they live.

“This announcement sends a clear message that we are committed to raising standards and giving every child the best possible education and the best possible opportunities for their future.”

Notes

Oral Statement by the Secretary of State for Education; The Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, in the House of Commons on Monday 17^th July, 2017:-

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/justine-greening-statement-to-parliament-on-school-funding

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/13bn-for-core-schools-budget-delivers-rise-in-per-pupil-funding

• The Education Secretary also confirmed that the new national funding formula will:
  • Increase the basic amount that every pupil will attract in 2018-19 and 2019-20;
  • Allow for gains of up to 3 per cent per pupil for underfunded schools for the next two years;
  • Provide at least a 0.5 per cent a year per pupil cash increase for every school; and
  • Continue to protect funding for pupils with additional needs, as proposed in the consultation published in December.
• The Education Secretary also confirmed the PE and Sports Premium for primary schools will increase from £160 million to £320 million. All primary schools will receive an increase in their PE and sports premium funding in the next academic year.
• Increased support will be available to school leaders to help them focus their resources, including offering individual schools access to expert advisors so they can receive tailored guidance.
• There were over 25,000 responses to the detailed proposals from parents, teachers and school leaders across the sector. A full detailed response to the national funding formula consultation, and local authorities’ gains under the new formula, will be published in September.
• Local authorities will continue to set a local formula for individual schools’ budgets in 2018-19 and 2019-20, in consultation with schools in the area. This longer transition will help provide stability for schools.
• Spending plans beyond 2019-20 will be set in a future Spending Review.
• In delivering the programme, and the plans for a further 140 free schools announced at the last Budget, we will work more efficiently to release savings of £280 million up to 2019-20.  This will include working more collaboratively with local authorities to provide free schools to meet basic need.