BARNSLEY is back on a level playing field when it comes to schools funding, a senior councillor has said.
It follows the announcement by government that Barnsley is to get millions in extra cash to spend on education after secretary Justine Greening confirmed details of a new fairer funding system for schools.
The system for distributing schools funding has been criticised as unfair and outdated as a school in Barnsley could receive 50 per cent less than a school facing similar challenges in Hackney in London. Greening said the new formula puts an end to the historic postcode lottery that saw huge differences in funding between similar schools in different parts of the country.
The council said overall Barnsley will see an increase in its schools’ funding of £15m, if the national funding formulae were fully implemented. Of this, the amount directly given to schools will rise by more than £12m. This will result in Barnsley’s total schools’ funding increasing to £159m.
That rise has been welcomed by Coun Tim Cheetham, the council’s education spokesman, who maintains the borough has been ‘criminally underfunded’ for years.
“The new proposals to make funding fairer are very welcome,” he said. “This now places Barnsley back on a level with other areas of the country. It is an acknowledgement that we have been underfunded by £15m previously.
“This increase was promised two years ago, and since then there have been endless delays, counterproposals and government policy changes.
“Therefore we are pleased to see this money coming into our schools, who have been performing miracles to produce the improvement they have gained in the last few years. Increased funding will now help schools to continue the amazing work they do for our young people.”
More on this story in this week’s Barnsley Chronicle
