Schools in England to see rise in funding in 2021

Schools across England are set to receive a £4.8bn boost in 2021 compared with 2019, in the next step to level up funding across the country.

 

New figures published on Monday show how every pupil is to benefit from a rise in funding in 2021.

 

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

 

Funding is being allocated through the transformative national school funding formula, which ensures schools from the largest city secondaries to the smallest community primaries are allocated funding more fairly to meet their pupils’ needs.

 

The system has been embraced by two thirds of local authorities who have moved towards allocating their funding for schools based on the national funding formula.

 

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.”

 

This funding is on top of the prime minister’s £1bn Covid ‘catch-up’ package designed to “allow head teachers to support those who have fallen behind while out of school.”

 

Small and remote schools funding will increase by over 60% with additional protection built into the funding formula means every pupil, regardless of the amount of funding they currently receive, will attract a year-on-year increase of at least 2%.