Government education funding 'failing children from poorest families' » Local Government » 24dash.com

Children from London’s poorest families are missing out despite the record levels of funding put into education because the government is failing to target the money where it is most needed.

This is the view of London Councils, in a report published today (Monday).

The Smarter Funding for Schools report reveals that while the government has increased its investment in education, the way funds are distributed fails to fully recognise the challenges faced by schools and the needs of children with the lowest exam success when distributing funding.

These include high levels of multiple deprivation, greater than average pupil mobility and higher staffing costs.

As a result London schools and education authorities facing the biggest challenges are losing out on much needed government grant.

The report shows that last year the capital lost about £119 million in funding which should have gone towards helping pay for teachers because the grants determined by government failed to take account of the extra money needed to employ teachers on a London wage.

London Councils calculates that London’s schools have missed out on up to £750 million of staffing funding over the last 10 years.

It also highlights the continuing gap in achievement between children from deprived families and other pupils In London 60 per cent of children not claiming free school meals in 2005 achieved five good GCSEs compared to 40 per cent of those who do.

Children from poor backgrounds are likely to come from a family where one or both parents are out of work or have few qualifications themselves. They could also be living in temporary accommodation or have English as a second language.

High numbers of children moving between schools during the academic year also puts a strain on resources because of the extra cost of settling and integrating new pupils. Some inner London schools face annual pupil movement of 60 per cent.

The government is currently reviewing how its main education grant should be distributed to school over the next three years. London Councils believes this provides the opportunity for them to build on the successes achieved by London Challenge and Excellence in Cities.

By specifically targeting funds through these initiatives to areas with high levels of deprivation, pupils receiving free school meals are now more likely to achieve five GCSE grades A-C in London than in any other region.

London Councils Chairman, Councillor Merrick Cockell, said: “While more money is being put into education by the government, it is not being targeted where it is most needed. This is preventing our poorest children getting the best out of their education and taking the opportunity of escaping poverty through achieving better exam results.

“London schools educate and support children from some of the country’s poorest families and face a diverse range of needs including some 300 languages being spoken in rooms across the capital.  But they are still not receiving sufficient resources through the main schools grant to deal with these challenges.

“We are pleased the Government has recently announced an extension of the London Challenge programme. But they should learn from its success which proves that properly targeted resources are key to helping give every child the chance to achieve.”

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