Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary, Isle of Wight – National Education Union, shares this latest news. Ed
The Department for Education (DfE) has just published their funding allocations for mainstream schools for 2022-23.
Yet again, continuing funding pressure for Island education. These figures, however provisional and notional the DfE claim, are real term declines in total core per pupil funding for five to 16-year-olds.
As part of the National Funding Formula, Government committed to give schools an increase in their pupil-led funding of at least 2 per cent per pupil in 2022-23.
Below inflation projections
Insight from the House of Commons Library yesterday (Thursday) showed this is below the Office for Budget Responsibility’s most recent inflation projection of 2.7 per cent.
In other words – it looks like, feels and is a 0.7 per cent cut in real terms.
Affect on Island schools
It certainly is for 23 of the 39 primary schools, the largest cut being -4.5 per cent at Godshill Primary. Two other primary schools gain no funding increase or decrease. Only three primary schools gain more than the 2.7 per cent forecast inflation rate.
Secondary schools fare slightly better with Christ the King College gaining 2.8 per cent, but two others suffering decreases.
National comparison
How will the Island fare in 2022-23 when compared with England?
| Per pupil average funding | England | Isle of Wight | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary school average | £4,674 | £4,557 | -£117 |
| Secondary school average | £6,000 | £5,859 | -£141 |
| All school average | £5,215 | £5,091 | -£124 |
| All school annual % change | +0.1% | +0.3% | +0.2% |
Island short-changed when compared with England average
Admittedly, funding is a complex issue, but on the surface, even with a 0.2 per cent increase this year, the Island is short-changed when compared with the England average, missing out on more than £100,000 for some secondary schools.
Potentially, much needed extra staff to support our Island pupils.
Ultimately, whilst not yet finalised, there is no doubt, that these are cuts to core funding. They are undesirable cuts and they will hurt.
Image: Markus Winkler under CC BY 2.0
