State of Education Report 2017 state-of-education-booklet-Final-WEB | Page 13

When it comes to raising extra funds, optimism is most widespread Lack of faith in this funding reform is more marked among secondary
in London, where a quarter (26%) are confident they can generate school leaders, with almost five in 10 (46%) not expecting to be better
additional income over the next 12-24 months; a further two-thirds equipped to plan their budget effectively compared to nearly four in 10
(67%), however, are not confident of this. Only 18% of schools in the (38%) primary leaders. The current financial predicament of secondary
north east expect to be able to generate income, while 75% disagree. schools might in part explain these results: findings from the NAO
show that secondary schools are in a less stable position 16 , with 59% of
Comments from school leaders completing our survey suggest a
them overspending in 2014-15 as opposed to 33% of primaries.
more nuanced picture, dependent on local demographics. Effective
parent and teacher associations can raise thousands of pounds for The redistribution in school funding will hit schools in urban areas
some settings, but schools in deprived areas can struggle to raise the hardest. Nine of the 10 local authorities set to lose the most
funds from local communities with very little income, despite having money are in London 17 , with Manchester being the exception. Yet
the expertise to do so. scepticism about the redrafted formula is just as likely among rural
school leaders is it is among those in urban settings: 39% and 40%
National funding formula: what do school leaders think?
respectively do not believe that the formula will make it easier to
budget-plan in the coming years.
Almost 11,000 schools are set to gain from the national funding
formula 15 when it comes into effect officially in 2019-20*, while
over 9,000 schools are likely to receive less money. The formula is
“The national funding formula will make it easier for my
school to forecast and plan our budget effectively.”
intended to ensure a fairer and more consistent distribution of school
1%
be any easier and 26% think the formula will make no difference at all.
20%
and plan their budget effectively; 40% do not expect forecasting to
Urban
Tend to agree
It will make no difference
However, less than one fifth (18%) of school leaders think that the
proposed, redrafted formula will make it easier for them to forecast
Strongly agree
17
16%
%
19
Rural
17
%
Tend to disagree
budgets over the longer term.
2%
13%
funding nationally, and in so doing make it easier for schools to plan
Strongly disagree
Don’t know
*Subject to the outcome of the June 2017 general election
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/03/tory-uprising-claim-school-funding-row-
general-election-campaign-osborne
FIND FURTHER INSIGHTS: WWW.THEKEYSUPPORT.COM/BLOG
PAGE 13