Local MP Luke Hall, a long standing campaigner for a fairer funding model for schools in South Gloucestershire, has welcomed the announcement that the Government is investing £5 Million in South Gloucestershire and Stroud Pegasus School free school for autistic pupils.
In 2015-16, the Government allocated £390 million to the “least fairly funded” local authorities. As a result, the Fairer Schools Funding policy was implemented this year, setting a minimum funding amount per school, and allocated funds according to school, high needs students and early year’s pupils. The new formula is set to have a very positive impact for South Gloucestershire, which at present was the third worst funded area in England[1].
In the House of Commons, local MP and fairer funding campaigner Luke Hall praised the success of South Gloucestershire and Stroud’s successful application for a new specialist school for autistic pupils.
At Education questions Luke Hall raised the funding with the Secretary of State for Education, Nicky Morgan: “I warmly welcome the announcement that South Gloucestershire and Stroud College has been successful in its application for the SGS Pegasus free school. It will be an 80-place school for autistic pupils, opening in September 2017. Can the Secretary of State assure me that Pegasus and other schools in South Gloucestershire and in my constituency of Thornbury and Yate will receive their fair share of funding following the introduction of the new formula?”
To which the Secretary of State replied: "My hon. Friend is absolutely right. My ministers and I want to ensure that all schools receive their fair share of funding. South Gloucestershire and Stroud College has indeed been successful in applying to open the SGS Pegasus free school. Free schools form an integral part of the Government’s education policy to improve choice and drive up standards in schooling."
In a further response she added: “The new formula will ensure that pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds receive additional funding,”