Minister of State for School Standards Robin Walker MP announced a £4 billion funding boost to the schools budget yesterday. Schools in Worcestershire will receive £473 million in funding next year, a boost of £33 million as part of the government’s increase in spending for schools across the country.
This additional investment means that in total, the core schools budget will rise by £4bn next year (2022-23), or five per cent per pupil in real terms from this year – delivering more money for every child. The £33 million extra funding for Worcestershire can be used for hiring specialist teachers, providing training, and purchasing school supplies including textbooks.
The total extra funding for schools means mainstream schools will receive £41.7 billion in 2022-23, an increase of 5.8 per cent per pupil. Every primary school will receive at least £4,362 per pupil, and every secondary school at least £5,669 per pupil.
Robin also announced a £1 billion boost to funding for special educational needs and disabilities, which is a record 13 per cent increase on this year’s funding. The extra funding will help schools, councils, and other specialist providers provide the right care and support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities – so that every child receives the help they need to learn and fulfil their potential.
The increases in school funding follows the investment of nearly £5 billion in education recovery, which includes £1.5 billion on tutoring in schools and colleges across the country to help children and young people catch up on lost learning during the pandemic.
Speaking about the impact on his own area, Worcester MP Robin Walker said:
“Having campaigned for a fairer funding formula before my appointment to the role of Schools Minister I am glad that I have been able to announce an increase in the amount of funding we are providing per pupil so early on in the job.
“The £33 million funding boost for schools in Worcestershire will help them to hire more teachers, get materials to support pupils learning, and support pupils with special needs and disabilities. This additional funding should also unlock the possibility of a much-deserved pay rise for teachers and other education professionals who are going the extra mile right now to ensure that all young people can catch up from the interruption of the last two years.
“As we build back fairer, this funding will ensure every young person can receive the education they deserve so they can fulfil their potential. Every pupil, no matter where they grow up or go to school, deserves an excellent education and the chance to fulfil their potential.
“This £4 billion funding boost delivers on the Prime Minister’s commitment to level up school funding – giving significant increases to every pupil in every school – and taken alongside our ambitious education recovery plan with additional investment of almost £5 billion, will support every young person to catch up following the disruption caused by the pandemic.
"This additional investment also represents a significant boost to high needs funding, helping local authorities support pupils with special educational needs, and helping to ensure all young people can thrive and succeed.”