Some schools may miss out on new funding rises

The Education Policy Institute (EPI) has recently published and article “Analysis: ‘Levelling up’- what it really means for school funding” relating to funding pledges under the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

PM Boris Johnson has vowed to ‘level up’ school funding, by increasing the minimum level of per pupil funding that primary and secondary schools receive. This would see the minimum increase from £3,500 to £4,000 in primary schools.

The report says: “Almost all schools serving the most disadvantaged communities would miss out. Overall, the average pupil eligible for free school meals would attract an additional £56 under this proposal, while the average pupil not eligible for free school meals would attract an additional £116.

Though these amounts are not necessarily what the school actually receives since that is still subject to the local funding formula – based on the national DfE school level allocations data, around 41 per cent of primary schools and 34 per cent of secondary schools are below the proposed funding floors. We estimate that raising them to that level would cost around £590m for primary schools and £150m for secondary schools.“

But, other sources of funding are now being made available to UK Schools, one of which is the Sugar Tax, which was initiated in 2018.

An article on Funding for Sport.co.uk cites that “Money levied from the soft drinks industry will soon be available for schools to improve school sports facilities and promote healthy living.

The government has allocated money from the levy specifically for:

• School Sports facilities, including pitches, sports halls, gymnasiums and multi-use games areas
• Changing facilities
• Playgrounds
• Kitchens and dining facilities
• Benefits for your academy

Not only can Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and schools offer children better sports facilities and extra-curricular activities but they could generate revenue by offering evening and weekend use to the wider community.”

We have found that some of our clients have invested in a Rotunda changing room and multi-use school PE/break-out space which sits beside their sports field. This has proved a useful meeting space for local community groups and small yoga classes out of term time which has generated a small amount of rental income for the school.

If you’re keen to design a new outdoor sports space and feel that we could be a good fit please don’t hesitate to get in touch.