Today it has been announced that South East schools will benefit next year from a £282 million increase in funding - a 4.8% real-term increase.
In Gosport, the average per-pupil funding in 2020-21 for primary schools will be £4,313 and for secondary schools £5,330. Schools across the constituency will see a funding total of £57, 084, 297 next year.
Every school across the country will see a per-pupil funding increase. No secondary school will get less than £5,000 per pupil and no primary school will get less than £3750 per pupil, rising to £4000 in 2021-2.
This means that the Conservative Government will increase spending by £50 million per week next year, to a total £850 million. The year after this will rise again to £900 million per week and by 2022/3 £1000 million per week will be spent on schools.
In total, £14 billion – the largest funding boost in a decade – will be invested in schools across the country.
Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson said:
“Our schools do a brilliant job and I want parents and teachers to know that we’ve listened to them and are investing in our children’s futures. That’s why this Government has announced the biggest funding boost for schools in a decade which will give every school more money for every child - with the biggest increases going to the schools that need it most.
“I recognise the pressures schools have faced and want them and parents to be safe in the knowledge that all children can get the top-quality education they deserve in classrooms across the country. Our continuing investment in education, coupled with a bold reform agenda and the work of Ofsted will supercharge the ongoing rise in school standards.”
This is just the first year of funding announcements. Still yet to come is two years of guaranteed funding rises that have been ring-fenced. Nor does the announcement include the first-year extra funding of over £770 million in Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) schools which will receive an 12% funding rise in the first year. It also excludes the £1.5 billion that will cover teacher pensions costs.
Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, commented:
“Over the years that I have been MP for Gosport, Hill Head, Stubbington and Lee-On-The-Solent I have listened to the growing concerns of parents and teachers across my constituency about the level of funding that their schools receive.
“Our children are the future and I am thrilled by today’s announcement that will see over £57 million go to our local schools, helping give our children the best start in life and setting them up for a bright future.
“Importantly this is just the start. The Prime Minister has ringfenced further funding for the next three years that will see real terms increases every year and pension support for our teachers. I look forward to seeing how this funding will make positive changes in our constituency schools and for our local children.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I promised on my first day in Downing Street to make sure every child has equal opportunities to succeed – regardless of their background or where they live. Because I believe that talent and genius is evenly distributed but so often opportunity is not, and my job is to change this.
“We’re already delivering on this promise with schools receiving more than £14 billion additional funding over the next three years, meaning every pupil in every school will get more money, and funding across the country will be levelled up.
“Today we are setting out more detail about how schools across the country will benefit next year. This investment will give schools, teachers and parents the certainty to plan, helping further improve standards and ensure our children and young people get a truly world-class education.”