Education

Government announces rise in school funding for every pupil in England

The Government has published funding figures today (July 20) that show how every pupil in England will benefit from a rise in funding in 2021.

It comes in the second year of a three-year settlement for schools worth £14.4bn, which is the biggest increase in a decade.

Compared with 2019, an extra £4.8bn will be invested into schools in England in 2021, as part of the Government’s commitments to level up funding across the country.

The allocation is done through the transformative national school funding formula, which distributes the funding more fairly from the big secondary schools in cities to the small community primary schools.

This fairer system is now being adopted by two thirds of local authorities, according to new data, giving schools better access to funding.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

"This year has been incredibly challenging for schools, teachers, and students due to the COVID-19 outbreak, with everyone working in education going to incredible lengths to support children and ensure they can get back to the classroom.

"Not only are we confirming another year of increased and better targeted funding for our schools, but 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. With two thirds of local authorities now having moved towards the national funding formula, it is time for the remainder to follow suit and ensure fairness for every child.

"Our £1 billion Covid catch up fund comes on top of this £14.4 billion three-year school funding boost, meaning that this government is leaving no stone unturned in levelling up opportunities for every young person up and down the country."

This is on top of the Prime Minister’s £1bn announcement of a Covid ‘Catch-up’ package, with guidance and funding published today.

Small and remote schools will see their funding rise by over 60% and an additional protection built into the formula means every pupil, regardless of their current funding allotment, will attract a year-on-year increase of at least 2%.