The NFER have published a blog article: The widening disadvantage divide: Disadvantaged primary schools appear to be most affected by falling pupil numbers. This explores the implications of the fact that pupil numbers are falling fast, and the financial pressure this creates leading to schools making adjustments, such as cuts to staffing and provision, which … Continue reading The widening disadvantage divide
Tag: Funding
Inclusive education estates
The DfE have published guidance on design adaptations to support an inclusive and accessible environment in mainstream education settings. This is supported by investment of £3.7 billion over five years enabling local areas to make education estates more accessible and inclusive, delivering a transformational expansion of inclusion bases in mainstream settings and expansion of special schools where … Continue reading Inclusive education estates
Inclusive mainstream fund: 2026 to 2027
The government have issued an update to the Inclusive mainstream fund: 2026 to 2027. They sate that over time they aim to re-balance funding for SEND, directing much more of it into core budgets for schools and colleges. This will allow planning for provision, employing staff and delivering interventions, without having to go through lengthy … Continue reading Inclusive mainstream fund: 2026 to 2027
PE and sport premium to be replaced
The DfE have announced major funding to support new PE and school sport, with targeted support to ensure all children can access equal opportunities for activity, in a scheme that replaces the existing arrangements. Backed by £580 million and set to be fully up and running from Spring 2027, the Network will replace the existing … Continue reading PE and sport premium to be replaced
Experts at Hand & Local Authority SEND Transformation Fund
The Department for Education has announced the funding for local authorities 2026 to 2027 for the new Experts at Hand & Local Authority SEND Transformation Fund. You can find details on their website, here.
Every child achieving and thriving
The long-awaited education policy white paper was published on 23 February. Entitled Every child achieving and thriving, The Forward notes: This white paper is our plan to build a system that matches the ambition we have for our children, a system that works for the children neglected for too long, that stretches every child further, … Continue reading Every child achieving and thriving
10-year plan to revitalise schools and colleges for every child
The government will put an end to this cycle of patching and mending buildings that have already deteriorated, as the Education Secretary unveils today (Wednesday 11 February) a 10-year plan to transform the education estate so that children and young people across the country have the high-quality classrooms that are fit for purpose and resilient … Continue reading 10-year plan to revitalise schools and colleges for every child
£200 million SEND teacher training programme
Acting on the feedback from parents shared through the national conversation on SEND, the government is making sure that children in every classroom will benefit from brilliant teachers trained in supporting a wide range of needs. So the Department of Education announced, on January 16th, new SEND courses available to all teaching staff to deepen … Continue reading £200 million SEND teacher training programme
Budget 2025: Everything schools need to know
Schools Week have provided a useful summary of what's in the Chancellor's autumn budget for education. Here is the link.
National funding formula for schools and high needs from 2025
Details of the funding system for schools and high needs from 2025 to 2026 onwards can be found on the DfE website, here.
Schools and colleges: apply for the condition improvement fund
The condition improvement fund (CIF) The condition improvement fund (CIF) is capital funding which keeps school and college buildings in good working order or supports a specific expansion projects that meet the criteria. Applications are now open for funding for 2026 to 2027. You must apply by midday on 16 December 2025. Funding is available … Continue reading Schools and colleges: apply for the condition improvement fund
Strategic school improvement capital budget (SSICB)
The Department for Education has issued new guidance for potential incoming responsible bodies that may need capital funding to support a school joining a strong trust through the sponsorship funding route, i.e. academy trusts taking on new schools. It is aimed at situations where the costs of taking on a school might be prohibitive. You … Continue reading Strategic school improvement capital budget (SSICB)
Government speeds up reforms to protect children from harm
Vulnerable children are to be better protected from harm after the government speeds up children’s social care reforms that prioritise prevention through its Plan for Change. An extra £18 million will be spent on rolling out early intervention child protection reforms to councils in England to stop families from reaching crisis by strengthening leadership and … Continue reading Government speeds up reforms to protect children from harm
Special needs overdiagnosed, says Derbyshire council leader
Leader of Derbyshire County Council, Alan Graves, stated in an interview with BBC Derby's Georgia Roberts that: I personally think there are too many people in the [SEND] system, I think there are reasons for that and it's to do with schools getting extra money for dealing with that. Most people are just about on … Continue reading Special needs overdiagnosed, says Derbyshire council leader
Local authority school places scorecards
The latest scorecards, which display a snapshot of the progress each local authority across England, are now available on the DfE website, here. The scorecards cover the following areas: Number of places that have been delivered between 2009/10 and 2023/24; Percentage of unfilled places in 2023/24; DfEs estimate of places still needed for 2026/27; DfE's … Continue reading Local authority school places scorecards
dsga.org.uk 