SCHOOLCHILDREN in Wokingham are not missing out despite being educated in one of the worst funded areas in England, according to the Borough’s executive member for children’s services.
A report by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) revealed last week that Wokingham Borough’s schools are some of the poorest-funded schools in the country, receiving nearly £2 million less in 2015/16 than the highest-funded schools, the equivalent of around 40 full-time teachers.
The report shows that secondary schools in the 10 best-funded areas, such as Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Lambeth, will on average receive grants of £6,297 per pupil in 2015-16, compared with an average of £4,208 per pupil in the 10 most poorly funded areas.
This means that in an average secondary school of 920 pupils, the highest-funded schools will receive a budget of around £5.8 million, while schools in Wokingham, West Sussex and South Gloucestershire will receive around £3.9 million, a difference of £1.9 million.
[floated align=”right”]Where the cash goes
5 lowest-funded areas
1 Wokingham – £4,158 per pupil
2 Poole – £4,194 per pupil
3 South Gloucestershire – £4,196 per pupil
4 West Sussex – £4,206 per pupil
5 Stockport – £4,206 per pupil
5 highest-funded areas
1 Tower Hamlets – £7,014 per pupil
2 Hackney – £6,680 per pupil
3 Lambeth – £6,384 per pupil
4 Hammersmith & Fulham – £6,248 per pupil
5 Islington– £6,229 per pupil
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However, MPs are calling for a reform in the funding review, meaning Wokingham’s schools could soon see a fairer deal.
MP for Wokingham John Redwood (pictured) wrote on his website earlier this month: “We have been pressing the Government to ensure that every school receives a reasonable amount per pupil, as under the previous administration the gap between the best funded and the worst funded schools became very large.
“So far this Coalition government has given some extra money to the worst funded schools. I wish to see Wokingham schools benefit from the new funding formula we have been promised for the next Parliament.”
Despite the funding inadequacies, Wokingham’s Executive member for children’s services, Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor is confident that the borough is still a great place to receive an education, with an average 68.5 per cent of pupils achieving five A* to C grades at GCSE last year, compared with 53.4 per cent nationally.
She said: “Wokingham Borough schools are among some of the most successful in the country, while being in one of the lowest funded areas.
“Along with all other local authorities across the country, we are moving forward within a national funding reform process.
These reforms have been a central Government initiative, with the aim of simplifying funding, ensuring transparency and levelling playing fields.
“The Borough Council has carried out extensive consultations with all of its schools in the borough, and has worked in strong partnership with the Wokingham Schools Forum, which is attended by headteachers, governors, council officers and a designated elected member.
“The forum discusses consultation findings, as well as school budgets in order to ensure that the council always works closely with schools.”
