The Guardian's Eva Wiseman column observes that Private schools don’t put children first, they put everyone else last She goes on to argue that the key issue around this debate - which isn;t being mentioned - is that the children at state schools are suffering. She concludes by saying "I’m starting to feel ... increasingly … Continue reading The private schools debate is asking all the wrong questions
Tag: Funding
School spending in England: a guide to the debate during the 2024 general election
This new report by Luke Sibieta from The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) seeks to inform the debate on school funding during the 2024 general election by analysing past trends and likely future pressures. Key findings inlcude: Spending on English schools fell by c. 9% in real terms between 2010 and 2019, but increased spending … Continue reading School spending in England: a guide to the debate during the 2024 general election
CIF funding – is the allocation fair?
The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) was put in place to help address significant condition needs to keep buildings safe and in good working order. This article in Schools Week suggests that the funding is allocated in favour of schools/trusts who can provide a bigger share of the cost themeselves, but DfE insists applicants ‘not prioritised’ … Continue reading CIF funding – is the allocation fair?
‘Nearly all’ schools rely on donations for classroom essentials
A new poll of its members by NAHT has found that only 1 per cent of school leaders say they get enough funding to meet all their pupils’ needs. A TES article notes that nearly all school leaders (95 per cent) in England have had to generate additional income through other sources - like charity … Continue reading ‘Nearly all’ schools rely on donations for classroom essentials
School funding model: Effect of falling school rolls
This sobering new report from the Education Policy Institute finds that: Total pupil numbers in state-funded primary and secondary schools are projected to fall from a peak of 7.57 million in 2022-23, and then decrease at an average rate of 1.0 per cent each year until they reach 7.14 million in 2028-29. This means that … Continue reading School funding model: Effect of falling school rolls
Financial distress in local authorities – impact on SEND
In its report "Financial distress in local authorities" published today (1st February 2024) the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee comments in detail on the current funding issues in local authorities. This includes a chapter on SEND, in which it notes: The amount of funding provided by the Department for Education has not kept pace … Continue reading Financial distress in local authorities – impact on SEND
Education: the fundamentals – Eleven facts about the education system in England
In December 2023 the Education Policy Institute published a report summarising the current status and some future trends for education in England. They identified eleven facts, as follows: Fact 1: England performs well against international comparators. Fact 2: Around 40 per cent of the disadvantage gap at age 16 is already evident by age 5 … Continue reading Education: the fundamentals – Eleven facts about the education system in England
Performance Tracker 2023: Schools
The Institute for Government's 2023 Performance Tracker outlines some of the key trends in mainstream education last year, and points to some issues for the future. Some of the key points are: Pupil numbers have peaked since the end of the last "baby boom" in 2013, so in genetral schools will see falling rolls in … Continue reading Performance Tracker 2023: Schools
ParentKind Survey report 2023
Folling from the November Parental Engagement Report 2023 (reported on this site) the National Parent Survey, conducted by YouGov on behalf of Parentkind has just been published. You can download the report using the link below, and some of the main findings include: Over 2.8 million children live in households where their parents are struggling … Continue reading ParentKind Survey report 2023
Autumn Budget 2023
The Autumn 2023 budget announcement (22 November 2023) was notable for the absence of any additional funding for schools. NGA's NGA’s co-chief executive, Emma Knights, stated that: Again, we find ourselves expressing profound disappointment that the Chancellor has not made additional investments in England's schools today. The Prime Minister has promised us all a world-class education … Continue reading Autumn Budget 2023
The DfE’s NFF funding calculation error
Both Local Authorities and MATs support their schools’ budget planning by providing projections beyond the current academic year and for at least the following two financial years, as required by the government. The mistakes made by the DfE are to do with the projections they have provided to relevant bodies, such as Derbyshire County Council, … Continue reading The DfE’s NFF funding calculation error
Is new government funding enough for schools?
New analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) shows that although there is substantial extra funding for schools budgeted for the next few years, it is not enough to close the gap in the true costs experienced by schools. Luke Sibieta, Research Fellow at the IFS, published an article showing that Schools funding in … Continue reading Is new government funding enough for schools?
NGA Manifesto for Schools and Trusts
The NGA has published its new manifesto, "From Classrooms to Communities: A Manifesto for Schools and Trusts." This comprehensive document outlines key challenges faced by schools and academy trusts in the UK and presents a set of proposals aimed at addressing these issues.Included in the manifesto are the following topics: Staff Wellbeing and Recruitment Estates … Continue reading NGA Manifesto for Schools and Trusts
Comments on the Spring Budget
This article from the NGA highlights their response to the recent Spring Budget from the government. In summary the points made are: POSITIVE: investment in childcare is long overdue and very welcome, but: NEGATIVE: a failure to fund an increase in provision for pupils with additional needs; NEGATIVE: a failure to fund an increase in funding … Continue reading Comments on the Spring Budget
Prime Minister sets ambition of maths to 18
In his first speech of 2023, the Prime Minister set out his priorities for the year ahead and ambition for a better future for Britain. As part of this, he will set a new ambition of ensuring that all school pupils in England study some form of maths to the age of 18. He will commit to starting the work of introducing maths to 18 in this Parliament and finishing it in the next.
dsga.org.uk 