Government funding for schools increases

The government has announced that education funding will reach around £60 billion in 2024/25, the highest ever level in real terms.

This funding includes additional funding for both disadvantaged pupils and children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with pupil premium and high needs budgets both going up alongside mainstream investment.

An additional £440 million investment to support pupils with SEND will be allocated to local authorities and used to fund special schools as well as provide mainstream schools with additional resources to meet the needs of pupils with complex SEND.

Funding for those with complex needs will also rise to £10.5 billion in 2024-25, which represents an increase of more than 60 per cent in five years.

In 2024-5, pupil premium funding rates will increase to £1,480 for primary pupils and £1,050 for secondary pupils. This is an increase of 10 per cent since 2021-22.

Education secretary Gillian Keegan said: "Our schools and our teachers are better than ever – and it’s so important that as standards continue to rise, so does our support for schools.

"That’s why boosting school funding was the first thing I did as Education Secretary, and why I will continue to make sure our brilliant schools and teachers have the tools they need to make sure every child receives a world class education.

"I know costs for schools continue to be high, but ensuring schools are funded at their highest level in history in real terms will give parents and schools the confidence that education continues to be the top for this Government."