Greg Smith MP has welcomed the news that schools in Buckinghamshire will receive £510 million in funding next year, a boost of £36 million as part of the Conservative Government’s £4 billion increase in spending for schools across the country.
The £4 billion extra funding for school delivers on the Prime Minister’s commitment when entering Downing Street, when he promised to level up school funding by pledging over £14 billion for primary and secondary schools by 2022-23.
The £36 million extra funding 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.
Greg has also commended the Conservative Government’s targeted £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 spending 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.
Commenting, Greg said: “No child or young person should be limited by where they grow up – they should be supported to get a world class education at school.
“The £36 million funding boost for schools in Buckinghamshire will help them to hire more teachers, get materials to support pupils learning, and support pupils with special needs and disabilities.
“As we build back fairer, this funding will ensure every young person can receive the education they deserve so they can fulfil their potential.”
Schools Minister Robin Walker said: “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.”
