MP calls for more school funding

26th June 2019
MP calls for more school funding

Gordon Henderson MP has called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to look again at the National Schools Funding Formula to ensure it is fair to all schools and raising the level of funding for our local schools.

In addition, Mr Henderson wants to see more money for schools to meet the increasing cost of high needs education for those attending special schools, or those with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) being supported in a main stream school setting.

In a letter to the Chancellor, signed by Gordon and 80 parliamentary colleagues, Mr Henderson points to a range of support services for young people that are being withdrawn, or are at risk because of the squeeze on school and education budgets.

Mr Henderson said, ‘The new National Funding Formal was supposed to create a level playing field for schools, with each getting a fair share of the record education budget nationally. However, schools in my constituency continue to be underfunded in comparison with others.

‘For example, primary schools in Sittingbourne and Sheppey receive a basis payment of £3,793 per pupil at primary and school and £4,941 per secondary school pupil. Compare this with Greenwich schools which get £4,907 and £6,698 respectively. That cannot be fair and is putting real pressure on head teachers struggling to balance their books.

“The other serious issue is that of funding for children with special educational needs. Nationally, it is accepted there is a funding gap of around £1.4 billion, and this is putting even more financial pressure on schools and on Kent County Council.

‘Earlier this month I raised this matter in parliament and I am delighted that 80 of my colleagues have now joined me in calling on the government to address the problem as a matter of urgency.’.