The Department for Education has announced that England’s schools are to be allocated a record-high funding injection.
Almost £60 billion of investment means the highest ever real-terms funding, with this including additional funding for pupils who are disadvantaged, as well as those with special educational needs and disabilities. Pupils with SEND will see the benefits of a further £440 million as local authorities are supported for the funding of special schools, whilst also giving mainstream schools the resources to meet their SEND pupils’ needs.
There will also be a 60% increase to the funding for pupils with complex needs, with this rising to £10.5 billion for the next year.
In response to the good work that schools around the country are doing to increase standards, pupil premium funding rates are to increase to £1,480 and £1.050 for primary and secondary school pupils respectively. This is a 10% increase since 2021-22 and will ensure that schools in more disadvantaged areas are able to raise standards of education for the pupils that need it the most.
Gillian Keegan, Education Secretary, said:
“Our schools and our teachers are better than ever – and it’s so important that as standards continue to rise, so does our support for schools.
“That’s why boosting school funding was the first thing I did as Education Secretary, and why I will continue to make sure our brilliant schools and teachers have the tools they need to make sure every child receives a world-class education.
“I know costs for schools continue to be high, but ensuring schools are funded at their highest level in history in real terms will give parents and schools the confidence that education continues to be the top [priority] for this government.”
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