New funding formula for schools unfair, says Shropshire head

Sonia Taylor, headteacher of Grove School and College in Market Drayton, said if the proposed funding formula went ahead then it would cause a detriment to children’s education.

She has written a letter to North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson calling on him to write to the Secretary of State for Education regarding concerns about the proposed new funding formula for schools, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ask for increased funding for education.

The Government has decided to alter the school funding formula and says it will be investing record amounts.

But according to the National Audit Office figures, school spending pressures will leave those in the Shropshire Council area nine per cent worse off per child on roll.

In Telford & Wrekin, schools will be £167 per pupil, or four per cent worse off, unless more cash is forthcoming.

In a letter to Mr Paterson, Mrs Taylor said: "The new funding formula is not addressing the funding crisis.

"It is not a fair formula because funds are simply being taken from the basic funding per pupil to pay for additional factors.

"This is immoral and simply results in schools in Shropshire losing out when it is already one of the poorest funded authorities.

"The new formula will result is non-disadvantaged students being affected because there is not enough core funding to provide the basic level of education and opportunities that all students are entitled to.

"Funding should be pupil led, but not to the detriment of others.

"The ‘pupil led’ factors in the new funding formula are area-based meaning that rural authorities will lose out.

"If the proposed funding formula goes ahead a number of schools across Shropshire will receive less funding.

"This is unbelievable and will seriously affect the life chances of the children."

Mrs Taylor said the government also needs to consider increasing for education as a whole as well.

She said: "It is ludicrous to expect continuous improvement without investment in every school.

"Since the coalition to the present day there has been a real term cuts in the education budget of 8 per cent seriously affecting the life chances of our children in this country."

Mr Paterson is urging people to take part in the consultation.

He held a meeting with the headteachers of north Shropshire schools, including The Corbet School in Baschurch and Lakelands Academy in Ellesmere last week and is holding regular meetings with the Government.

There is also a march in Shrewsbury on Saturday at 10am protesting against the proposed funding formu