English (GB)
Funding
The 2011-12 academic year brought fundamental changes to State school funding systems. In 2012-2013, many previous revenue grants are now incorporated into mainstream funding through the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). The Pupil Premium (PP) is primarily provided to schools with the aim of supporting pupils from deprived backgrounds. However, none of the following school-level funding is ring fenced and it can all be used to fund subscriptions to the award-winning Maths-Whizz services. In addition, the Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) continues to be available for “capital” items, such as multi-year provisions of Maths-Whizz services.
The following information has been designed to help schools access Maths-Whizz through these funding options, in a way that will help schools raise standards and build confidence in Maths.
Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG)
A number of separate grants have either been phased out or mainstreamed into the DSG. This is now the principal source of funding through their Local Authority for all maintained schools. Since this grant is not ring-fenced at school level, schools have the autonomy to decide how they spend it. However, they may still be expected to show the same provisions that they would have previously been able to display with the help of the old grants (such as School Standards Grant, School Development Grant, Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant, One-to-One Tuition, Targeted Support for Primary and Secondary National Strategy, and Maths and/or ICT Budgets). Maths-Whizz can help schools make effective decisions around provisions and aims.
Pupil Premium (PP)
Currently set to run from April 2011 to 2015, the PP aims to reduce the impact of cuts elsewhere in funding for schools and to address current inequalities by ensuring that funding to tackle the disadvantaged reaches the pupils who need it most. In its first year, the PP will be £430 per child eligible for free school meals and/or “looked after” and £200 for service children: over the period 2012-2015 the PP is expected to increase to a level of up to 4x the first year provision – it currently sits at £900 per disadvantaged child. The PP will be provided as a function of how many FSM, “looked after” and service children each individual school has, as a separate specific grant outside the DSG. The funding is not ring-fenced at school level. Schools will, however, be held accountable for how they have used this additional funding to support deprived pupils and – from September 2012 – will also be expected to justify their spend with published reports. Maths-Whizz can help schools with this as it is ideally placed to help schools meet their educational objectives. It also helps schools justify their spend, as its integrated reporting system provides continuous feedback and measurable results.
Devolved Formula Capital (DFC)
For primary schools, DFC in 2012-13 totals £4,000 per school plus £11.25 per pupil. It should be available to schools in May (40%) and July 2012 (60%). The purpose of DFC is to provide capital for schools to address their own priorities including ICT equipment and services. Capital projects must generally be a minimum spend of £2,000. A multi-year commitment to Maths-Whizz services for which we offer attractive discounts is an ideal use for DFC funds. If a school’s allocation is not spent, there is a likelihood of clawback of the funds by the local authority.
Early Intervention Grant (EIG)
In the place of a number of existing centrally directed grants to support services for children, young people and families, the EIG will provide a substantial new funding stream for early intervention and preventative services. The Government has made it clear that the most effective use of this money is for local authorities to determine. Since this grant is not ring-fenced, it can be used to buy a subscription to Maths-Whizz.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Key government directions, in terms of funding, aim at SEN – empowering parents to participate positively in making decisions around their special needs statemented child’s education. Maths-Whizz is a fantastic resource for SEN children (as well as all levels of ability).
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
The EYFS ensures that children learn through play from an early age. Maths-Whizz provides an engaging, interactive and fun source of learning, in which their mathematical abilities, technical abilities, and confidence are encouraged in an enjoyable and effective way.
2012-2015 Funding Predictions
In 2012-13 school funding will likely follow the same system as above. Thereafter, following consultations now taking place, the system is likely to change further with the aim of removing inequalities which have meant that similar schools in different areas have received different levels of funding. We expect an increased role for the Pupil Premium, emphasis on value for money and funding aimed at the needs of pupils. The focus of Maths-Whizz services on providing personalised tutoring, measurable results and assistance to schools in raising standards in maths justify their place in the school budget.