A PROPOSED £9million cash boost for the county’s schools has been warmly welcomed by Worcester’s MP.
The chronic under-funding of local schools is set to come to an end after the Government announced proposals for a much-needed cash injection last week.
Education Secretary Justine Greening recently revealed the much-awaited national funding formula which will benefit Worcestershire schools, on average, by a 1.7 per cent increase in funding from 2018/19.
Schools across the county have been underfunded for decades, with schools receiving £987 less in per-pupil funding compared to their counterparts in Birmingham.
A 14 week consultation, ending on March 22, has now been launched on the proposals giving headteachers and governors to have their say on the new funding formula.
A final decision will be made by Summer 2017.
Worcester’s MP, Robin Walker said: “Broadly speaking the proposals appear to present a fairer method of funding for our schools, but I know local schools will want to carefully assess the full implications, including the transitional arrangements, before responding in detail to the consultation.
“It’s vital that local schools, their heads and their governors respond to the consultation and make clear the basis on which they feel the new formula must work.
“The consultation will be open until 22nd March and I want to make sure Worcestershire’s voice is heard loud and clear within it.”
“In the last Parliament the campaign for fair funding achieved extra funding for around £6.7million for local schools, on a quick reading of the figures this looks like a bigger gain than that, between eight and nine million pounds.
“I will be delighted if through having a strong response to the consultation we can improve Worcestershire’s share further.”
