Local MP, Huw Merriman, has this week welcomed extra Government money for local schools. The injection of finance will see the amount of money spent locally on each pupil ultimately rise, on average, by almost 6%. Mr Merriman has, over the last year, campaigned with East Sussex County Council and schools across his constituency for extra funding to cover the increased costs in the classroom. Whilst the Government have been spending record amounts on schools, having protected the budget, the introduction of the living wage, pension changes and other staffing costs has caused parents and teachers to contact the MP to lobby for more funds.
The extra funding announced by the Government will increase the funding which every pupil in every school will attract and introduce a minimum funding of £4,800 per secondary school pupil, a rise of £500 for pupils in East Sussex. Primary schools will also see a minimum funding level of £3,500 and spending on higher needs pupils will also increase. The Government will provide the extra money, and recommend how much each school receives, but the final decision on where it will be spent across schools in East Sussex will rest with the County Council.
Having spoken again to the Schools Minister, Nick Gibb, on the morning of the announcement, Mr Merriman said, "From last year, when the Government announced its new funding formula for schools, I have pressed the Government to find more for our schools. I have been joined by my team of Headteachers from across the constituency who, with hundreds of parents and our Councillors, have been part of a positive campaigning team in East Sussex making the case for our local schools. We have some great schools in our community and I am grateful to the Education Secretary and Schools Minister for hearing our case and delivering more. We now need to ensure that the amount allocated to each school in the constituency is agreed by our County Council but this looks to be a positive start to the new school year."
Nick Gibb said, "Huw has been raising his concerns about the National Funding Formula with me on a number of occasions. We have listened and I am confident that our response to the consultation reflects Huw's input as well as many of the concerns raised by the 26,0000 people who responded to the consultation."
The extra funding was also welcomed by Cllr Bob Standley, East Sussex County Council Lead Member for Education and ISEND who stated “The County Council has been very active in lobbying government to get a fairer funding arrangement both directly and through the national f40 group, of which East Sussex County Council is a member. Today’s news is welcome although, as Huw says, we need to see the detail of the proposals for individual schools."
