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Over-16 school funds deficit row Over-16 school funds deficit row
(about 7 hours later)
A funding shortfall for sixth forms and colleges in England was caused by a "catastrophic miscalculation" on pupil numbers, say the Conservatives.A funding shortfall for sixth forms and colleges in England was caused by a "catastrophic miscalculation" on pupil numbers, say the Conservatives.
Michael Gove, the children's spokesman for the party, is writing to the Children's Secretary Ed Balls demanding clarification on budgets.Michael Gove, the children's spokesman for the party, is writing to the Children's Secretary Ed Balls demanding clarification on budgets.
Earlier this week, head teachers and principals warned they faced funding cuts of up to 4% from September.Earlier this week, head teachers and principals warned they faced funding cuts of up to 4% from September.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said the government would find the funds.Schools Minister Jim Knight said the government would find the funds.
This follows complaints from schools and colleges that they were facing reductions in funding levels for pupils staying on after the age of 16.This follows complaints from schools and colleges that they were facing reductions in funding levels for pupils staying on after the age of 16.
Mr Gove said that MPs "have been contacted by schools who are desperately concerned at the effect this decision will have on their budgets, their teachers and their students".Mr Gove said that MPs "have been contacted by schools who are desperately concerned at the effect this decision will have on their budgets, their teachers and their students".
It was misleading to say that these were final rather than provisional allocations Learning and Skills CouncilIt was misleading to say that these were final rather than provisional allocations Learning and Skills Council
He has asked Mr Balls for details of the extent of any reduction in funding and how many schools and colleges will lose out.He has asked Mr Balls for details of the extent of any reduction in funding and how many schools and colleges will lose out.
The Learning and Skills Council sent out letters early last month, giving schools what it called "final" allocations of money. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) sent out letters early last month, giving schools what it called "final" allocations of money.
But it was later forced to reduce the budgets, after admitting that it had under-estimated pupil numbers.But it was later forced to reduce the budgets, after admitting that it had under-estimated pupil numbers.
On its website the Council said it apologised for the "confusion and concern" caused by the letter.On its website the Council said it apologised for the "confusion and concern" caused by the letter.
"It was misleading to say that these were final rather than provisional allocations," it said."It was misleading to say that these were final rather than provisional allocations," it said.
'Children will suffer''Children will suffer'
The Grammar School Heads' Association has said the move caused "disbelief and anger", with some schools looking at losses of more than £120,000.The Grammar School Heads' Association has said the move caused "disbelief and anger", with some schools looking at losses of more than £120,000.
In a letter to the Times on Saturday, co-chairmen Simon Everson and Shaun Fenton said cuts and redundancies among their 130 members were "inevitable".In a letter to the Times on Saturday, co-chairmen Simon Everson and Shaun Fenton said cuts and redundancies among their 130 members were "inevitable".
"Both the scale of the cut and the timing have placed schools in an impossible position. Children of all ages will suffer," they said."Both the scale of the cut and the timing have placed schools in an impossible position. Children of all ages will suffer," they said.
Because of the effect of the economy, and the problems in the economy, we have got a much bigger surge in demand for learning than we had previously been anticipating Schools Minister Jim Knight
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and the Association of Colleges have said the allocated funds will not cover current numbers, let alone an expected rise.The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and the Association of Colleges have said the allocated funds will not cover current numbers, let alone an expected rise.
They said this made little sense in a recession, and not least when the government wanted more young people to stay on in education and training after the age of 16.They said this made little sense in a recession, and not least when the government wanted more young people to stay on in education and training after the age of 16.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's PM programme, Mr Knight said: "We guarantee that every young person who wants a place at school or college in September will get one. We are working hard and we will let schools know by the end of the month exactly what the position is.Speaking to BBC Radio 4's PM programme, Mr Knight said: "We guarantee that every young person who wants a place at school or college in September will get one. We are working hard and we will let schools know by the end of the month exactly what the position is.
"Because of the effect of the economy, and the problems in the economy, we have got a much bigger surge in demand for learning than we had previously been anticipating.""Because of the effect of the economy, and the problems in the economy, we have got a much bigger surge in demand for learning than we had previously been anticipating."
Record investment of more than £6.7bn was already planned in education for 16 to 18-year-olds from September, which would pay for a record 1.5 million students, the minister said.
He added: "We continue to consider options for further funding, including meeting emerging pressures from the impact of the recession and recruitment during the year."
The LSC would write again to schools at the end of April following the discussions on possible extra funding, he said.
There will be considerable anger among schools and colleges, which are effectively being financially penalised for increasing participation Dr John Dunford, Association of School and College LeadersThere will be considerable anger among schools and colleges, which are effectively being financially penalised for increasing participation Dr John Dunford, Association of School and College Leaders
Funding letters received by school and colleges this week showed sixth forms faced shortfalls of up to 4% and colleges faced shortages of up to 2% for the next academic year.Funding letters received by school and colleges this week showed sixth forms faced shortfalls of up to 4% and colleges faced shortages of up to 2% for the next academic year.
ASCL said a sixth form of 250 pupils would be £50,000 to £55,000 worse off next year, while a sixth form college of 3,000 would lose around £350,000.ASCL said a sixth form of 250 pupils would be £50,000 to £55,000 worse off next year, while a sixth form college of 3,000 would lose around £350,000.
The association has written to Chancellor Alistair Darling, claiming the Treasury had not made the necessary funds available to the Department for Children, Schools and Families.The association has written to Chancellor Alistair Darling, claiming the Treasury had not made the necessary funds available to the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
In his letter, general secretary Dr John Dunford said there was "widespread disappointment and considerable anger" that funding allocations had been limited.In his letter, general secretary Dr John Dunford said there was "widespread disappointment and considerable anger" that funding allocations had been limited.
"Schools and colleges have responded magnificently to the government's policy to increase participation post-16," he said."Schools and colleges have responded magnificently to the government's policy to increase participation post-16," he said.
"They have an even more critical part to play during the recession, when more young people are likely to stay in full-time education."They have an even more critical part to play during the recession, when more young people are likely to stay in full-time education.
"They now find that they are not even being funded for the actual number of students they currently have enrolled."They now find that they are not even being funded for the actual number of students they currently have enrolled.
"There will be considerable anger among schools and colleges, which are effectively being financially penalised for increasing participation."There will be considerable anger among schools and colleges, which are effectively being financially penalised for increasing participation.
"This surely cannot be right and sends a very bad signal to schools and colleges in relation to their role in raising participation to 100% by 2013.""This surely cannot be right and sends a very bad signal to schools and colleges in relation to their role in raising participation to 100% by 2013."
Chief executive of the Association of Colleges, Martin Doel, said colleges would struggle to maintain the quality of service that students deserved.Chief executive of the Association of Colleges, Martin Doel, said colleges would struggle to maintain the quality of service that students deserved.
"The increase in student numbers is hardly surprising given the state of the job market - means must be found to enable funding to keep pace with the growth in numbers unless government wants to exacerbate youth unemployment.""The increase in student numbers is hardly surprising given the state of the job market - means must be found to enable funding to keep pace with the growth in numbers unless government wants to exacerbate youth unemployment."