South Gloucestershire secondary schools are set to be given a real terms per pupil cash boost this year after the Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening MP, announced the Governments intentions to adopt the new national fairer funding formula from 2018-19. This week’s announcement means that over the next two years an extra £1.3bn will be invested in the core schools and higher needs budget.
South Gloucestershire, traditionally one of the least funded local authorities for secondary schools in England, is amongst one of the 40 local authorities within England to join a national campaign group known as the F40, which has long been campaigning for the introduction of what is known as a ‘fairer funding formula’ to resolve the disparity between areas in regards to schools funding.
An important announcement for South Gloucestershire Schools was also made with the government guaranteeing funding per pupil of £4,800 at a minimum which will mean that many South Gloucestershire’s schools will see a significant uplift in their per pupil funding;
- Yate International Academy seeing an uplift of £520 per pupil
- Winterbourne International Academy seeing an uplift of £350 per pupil.
- Katherine Lady Berkley School seeing an uplift of £270 per pupil.
- Thornbury’s Castle school seeing an uplift of £206 per pupil
- Marlwood Secondary seeing an uplift of £51 per pupil.
Other positive news to come from the announcement included;
- The doubling of the PE and sports premium for primary schools meaning primary schools will receive an increase in their PE and sports premium funding in the next academic year.
- The Government’s intention to continue with the free schools problem, offering reassurances for the Pegasus Free School for special educational needs.
Local MP Luke Hall who has long campaigned for and raised the issue of schools funding for South Gloucestershire Schools said;
“I am of course delighted at the Secretary of States announcement this week. As our MP I have persistently made the case for a fairer funding deal that would benefit our schools here in South Gloucestershire. It is really welcome that Schools such as Winterbourne, Castle and Marlwood will see that uplift as a result.”
Cllr Toby Savage, Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Business at South Gloucestershire Council welcomed the news in saying;
“Luke, and our MPs have worked in lock step with parents, schools and the Council in campaigning for a better deal for our Schools, so we welcome the Government’s announcement of proper fairer funding formula. We look forward to seeing more of the detail in September that will show the difference that will be made to local education here."