Prime Highlights:
- Devon County Council is calling on the Government to improve the National Funding Formula to ensure fairer funding for schools across the county.
- Councillors highlight that rural schools and children with special educational needs are currently underfunded compared to other areas.
Key Facts:
- Mainstream schools in Devon receive nearly £5,000 less per pupil than schools in other areas, and SEND funding is 60% lower than in the highest-funded councils.
- Devon has many small rural schools that still have fixed costs but fewer students, making fair funding essential to maintain local access to education.
Background:
Devon County Council is asking the Government to change the way schools are funded so resources are shared more fairly across the county. Councillors Richard Jefferies and Denise Bickley recently went to London to meet with the f40 group, which represents 43 councils in England that receive the lowest education funding, to raise concerns and suggest improvements to the National Funding Formula.
The councillors said Devon’s rural setting and large number of small schools put it at a disadvantage under the current funding system. On average, mainstream schools in Devon get almost £5,000 less per pupil than schools in other areas, and funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is 60% lower than in the highest-funded councils.
Councillor Richard Jefferies, who leads children’s services, said: “We need to show the Government that funding is not equal across the country. Rural areas like Devon face extra challenges, and solutions that work in bigger towns and cities don’t always fit here. Adult social care recognises rural needs, but children’s education doesn’t, and that must change.”
Councillor Denise Bickley, responsible for SEND services, added: “It’s unfair that children in Devon get much less funding than others. Small schools still have the same fixed costs as bigger schools but fewer students to support them. These schools are important to make sure all children have a local school to attend.”
The councillors are asking the Government to focus on early support for SEND students, give more resources to schools facing rising demand, and improve the National Funding Formula to make funding fair for all councils. They also highlighted the need for the upcoming White Paper to give clear guidance on future funding.
Devon County Council’s work shows we need a funding system that supports rural schools and growing education needs, so all children can go to a good school.
