School Budget Settlement for 2011-2012

The Coalition Government will today unveil plans to give schools an extra £430 for every pupil they take in from disadvantaged homes.

The money, to be announced by Education Secretary Michael Gove with today's school budget settlement for 2011-12, will be available for every pupil whose parents have an income of less than £16,000 a year and are thus entitled to free school meals.

The policy is being portrayed as the "big concession" won from the Conservatives by the Liberal Democrats in the coalition agreement after the election. However, opposition MPs and teachers' leaders have warned that the scheme is "robbing Peter to pay Paul", as much of the cash will come from within the existing schools budget.

Primaries and secondaries with large numbers of children from middle-class backgrounds may be hardest hit by the Government’s “pupil premium” reforms claims the Telegraph today.

Below is the written ministerial statement by Education Secretary Michael Gove on 13 December 2010. He announces the local authority allocations for the dedicated schools grant and capital for 2011-12 and for the early intervention grant in 2011-12 and 2012-13

http://www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/inthenews/a0070450/written-ministerial-statement-by-the-secretary-of-state-for-education-on-schools-financial-settlement-education-spending

Below is a link to a letter from Michael Gove to Head teachers and Chairs of Governors.

http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/m/michael%20goves%20letter%20to%20headteachers%20and%20chairs%20of%20governors%20%20%2013%20december%202010.pdf