Funding formula must meet all schools’ needs

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/apr/25/funding-formula-must-meet-all-schools-needs

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The lack of interest shown by academy chains in small village schools is understandable (Report, 23 April). In its plan to introduce a national funding formula for schools, the government is removing the ability of local authorities to subsidise small rural schools through local funding formulas. In the past local authorities kept village schools open by manipulating distribution of the education grant to give these schools more money.

These variations reflected local community priorities. Not surprisingly, in rural areas village schools are popular. Under a national funding regime with no local variation, small schools are not financially viable, nor can they be. The money follows the pupils. With only a few pupils, there isn’t enough money. Business-savvy academy chain CEOs are unlikely to be attracted to such financial dead weights.

The precarious position of small schools is due to the loss of the local funding formula, and with it local democratic control. A national system of academies with a national funding system will be too inflexible to meet local needs and priorities. Without local political responsibility for the education of our children, there is nothing those of us in rural areas can do about it.John NashChild Okeford, Dorset

• If the proposed national funding formula for schools isn’t accompanied by extra funding, it risks having a devastating effect on the capital. London Councils’ analysis suggests £245m could be lost from London’s schools, equivalent to 5,873 full-time teachers or 11,598 full-time teaching assistants.

This would be a scandal. London’s schools are a real success story. Despite high levels of deprivation, higher staff and housing costs, and an ever-growing demand for places, we have the greatest number of good or outstanding schools in the country, and children growing up here consistently outperform their peers at key stage 2 and GCSE.

Surely the aim should be for every school in the country to match London’s achievements? This won’t happen by taking funding away from the capital and putting at risk the progress that has been made.

The chancellor must take into account the higher costs in London and provide an urgent guarantee that no local area will see a reduction in funding as a result of these proposals.Catherine West MPLabour, Hornsey & Wood Green; Secretary, all-party parliamentary group for London

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