Disadvantaged schools would miss out on funding rises

The Education Policy Institute (EPI) has published analysis into funding pledges under the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Boris has committed to reverse the real terms cuts in school spending by 2022 and vowed to ‘level up’ school funding, by increasing the minimum level of per pupil funding that primary and secondary schools receive. This move would see the minimum increase from £3,500 to £4,000 in primary schools, and from £4,800 to £5,000 in secondary schools.

The report concludes that Johnson’s pledge to “level up” pupil funding will benefit grammar schools and those in more affluent areas, while schools serving the most disadvantaged communities will miss out.

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."