Constituency: Fareham
- Total funding for all schools in 2021-22: £63,764,117
- Total increase for all schools in 2021-22: 5.3%
As the country moves through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, never has the essential role that schools play in our communities been more apparent. The Government is more committed than ever to its mission to level up opportunity and transform the lives and prospects of a generation. Last year the Government announced the biggest cash boost to school funding in a decade, worth a total of £14.4 billion over three years. Schools are already benefitting from a £2.6bn increase this year, which will rise to £4.8bn in 2021-22 and £7.1bn in 2022-23, compared to 2019-20.
In addition, the Government continues to fund the recent increase in pension costs for teachers, worth £1.5bn a year. Today, it is delivering the second year of that three-year funding commitment. The Government has published provisional school and high needs funding allocations for 2021-22, helping schools to plan their future funding during this challenging period.
The Government is levelling up school funding: delivering resources where they are needed most, while ensuring that every school is allocated at least 2% more per pupil. On average, schools will be attracting over 3% more per pupils next year. In addition, the minimum per pupil funding levels will ensure that every primary school receives at least £4,000 per pupil, and every secondary school at least £5,150 per pupil, delivering on the Government’s pledge to level up the lowest funded schools.
The Government wants every school, no matter their circumstances or location, to have the resources to deliver the high-quality education that all parents expect. Funding to cover additional teachers’ pay and pensions costs, previously funded through separate grants, has been added to all NFF allocations from 2021-22. This will simplify the allocation of this funding – worth almost £2bn a year – recognising that it is part of schools’ core budgets and providing reassurance that the funding will continue to be provided. This means that a further £180 and £265 respectively will be added to the minimum per pupil amounts above.
The 2021-22 allocations also reflect a 60% increase in the total additional funding that small and remote schools attract through the NFF. This recognises the challenges such schools face and the vital role they play in local communities. Small and remote primary schools can now attract up to £45,000 in extra funding, compared to £26,000 previously. We intend for this to be a first step towards expanding the support provided for small and remote schools from 2022-23.
Alongside this, the Government has announced a new £350m national tutoring programme for disadvantaged students. This will increase access to high quality tuition for disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people, helping to accelerate their academic progress and tackling the attainment gap between them and their peers.
Commenting Suella Said:
“I am delighted to hear that the government is boosting funding for our schools and colleges. It is incredibly important that we invest in our children’s future and provide students with the tools they need to succeed.
We should see this new investment as an opportunity for enlightenment and remember that this Covid-19 global upset too will pass, as the darkest hour is always before dawn. It is what we do in the dawn that will matter most and if we are equipped with the correct educational, cultural and artistic tools I believe we will be able to paint an impressive picture on the new blank canvas."
