CHANGES TO SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA

1. The Executive Member for Education has given approval to changes to the school funding formula which will now be incorporated as part of school budget shares for 2006/07 and in future years. The changes have in the main been brought about by the new government system of school funding with the Dedicated Schools Grant and multi-year budgets. There are to be local developments as well in respect of pupils from service families and funding for special educational needs in primary and secondary schools. Also, the government has introduced a new method of funding for personalised learning which requires new formula factors to distribute the "earmarked" funding appropriately. The changes to the school funding formula are supported by the Children's Services Policy Review Committee and have been agreed by the Schools Forum. A copy of the report approved by the Executive Member giving further details about the new funding formula is available in the Members' Rooms.

2. The above decision supports Aims 1 and 5 of the Corporate Strategy by distributing the additional government funds available for schools and will permit those schools with higher needs to receive a greater share of the total.

FELICITY HINDSON, MBE DAVID KIRK

Executive Lead Member for Children's Executive Member with Special

Services Responsibility for Education

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