I have been fighting so that schools across Thirsk and Malton receive a fair share of funding. Therefore, I am delighted that they were granted an above average rise for 2020-21. They are to receive an additional 4.1%, compared to a national average of 3% which will bring the total spending across the constituency to £59,530,819. It means that the average spending per head on primary school pupils will be £4,975 and on children attending secondary schools an average of £5,605.
Never has the role of schools in North Yorkshire been more important than it is now following months of closures and uncertainty and this money is very welcome indeed. Our share of the extra cash is higher than in some other parts of the country because it is part of the government’s pledge to level up opportunity across the country and transform the lives and prospects of the youngest generation. Ever since I was elected to Parliament I have been campaigning for a fairer proportion of cash for North Yorkshire and this is the first step towards a National Funding Formula which will determine schools’ budgets directly through a national formula.
Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson MP said “Every child deserves a superb education, regardless of which school they attend or where they happen to grow up. That is why we are providing additional funding now and for the future for every school, with those historically underfunded receiving the greatest increase. With our transformative national funding formula we are making sure the money is distributed fairly across the country so all schools can drive up standards. We know that this has been a difficult year for schools, teachers and students due to coronavirus and with this extra investment we can ensure pupils can catch up and get the best possible start in life.”
These increases are part of a £14.4 billion cash boost to school funding over three years and will also include a further £730m to support children with special needs and disabilities (SEND) which is an increase of 10% on last year. This means that every local authority will receive between 8%-12% more per head enabling children with the most complex needs to access education that is right for them. In addition to the core funding schools have been able to claim additional monies for exceptional costs incurred because of COVID-19 such as additional cleaning owing to confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases and costs to keep schools open for priority groups during the Easter and Summer half-term holidays.
