MPs urged to step in over school funding (From Gazette & Herald)

MPs urged to step in over school funding

8:03am Monday 24th September 2012 in News

COUNCIL chiefs in North Yorkshire have appealed for MPs to support their calls for more “flexibility” over Government plans which they fear will lead to some schools facing a cash crisis.

North Yorkshire County Council is concerned proposals by the Department for Education, which are due to come into force next April, will “restrict local decisions” on school budgets and could lead to “considerable” changes in funding for many schools.

The region’s Schools Forum has agreed the authority should lobby the Government over the plans as part of a wider consultation, running until October 17, with the council fearing the “least-worst” option under the changes would cause cash reductions for more than 100 local schools.

“The funding formula for schools in North Yorkshire was designed in North Yorkshire and works for our schools,” said Coun Arthur Barker.

“The problem with the proposals is they impose a ‘one size fits all’ model on the entire county, making no allowances for the fact our schools exist in very different circumstances from, for example, those of a London borough.

“While there would be schools which would do well, those gains are paid for by the schools which lose, as the total pot of money will not increase.

“I am certain the impact on our schools is an unintended consequence of the proposals and there is no intention to adversely affect the choice for parents or to impact on our high attainment levels. That is why we are asking the Government for some small elements of flexibility within their overall proposals to ensure this does not happen.”