New funds scheme for schools
Thursday 31st January 2008, 11:15AM GMT.
Schools minister Jim Knight has told Shropshire MPs the funding formula that puts the county near the bottom of the annual payments league will be changed – but not for another three years.
It comes after Shirehall leaders yesterday lifted the axe hanging over 22 closure-threatened county schools after a dramatic u-turn.
Mr Knight told a delegation of Shropshire MPs and county councillors last night that central government funding for schools was already fixed for the next three years. But he said a new formula taking into account population sparsity in rural counties and deprivation would take effect from 2011.
The current funding per pupil in Shropshire of £3,551 is £337 less per pupil than the average for England. The county would receive an extra £13.23 million if it received the average allocation per pupil.
Owen Paterson MP, who was at the meeting, said today: “We had a very encouraging and positive meeting with Jim Knight, who was definitely listening to our arguments.”
Schools Secretary Ed Balls was in Shropshire today to announce £30 million funding over the next three years to help sports colleges provide new facilities. Mr Balls was due to speak at a conference in Telford.
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