Council welcomes schools funding announcement
The Leader of Richmond Council has welcomed the announcement of £1.3bn new funding for schools, showing the Government has listened to local schools, parents and the Council.
This week the Government Education Secretary announced an additional £1.3bn for schools funding would be provided over the next two years.
Justine Greening MP also announced plans for a new national funding formula aimed at maintaining overall ‘real term’ per pupil funding for the next two years. This includes new minimum secondary school funding of £4,800 per student.
Cllr Paul Hodgins, Leader of Richmond Council, has welcomed the ‘fairer funding system.’ However, in a letter to the MP he has also asked for reassurance that careful attention will be paid to special educational needs support.
In addition, the letter seeks clarity around future proposals regarding the funding of new schools.
Cllr Hodgins said:
“Schools and education is one of this Council’s number one priorities. Over the past three years we have invested over £80m to meet the rising demand for school places. We have improved and expanded many school buildings enabling an additional 5,000 primary school places. We are funding the rebuilding of our special schools and extended parental choice by introducing sixth forms to our secondary schools.”
