Funding Sources for State Schools

For the 2011-12 school year, there have been fundamental changes to funding for maintained schools. Many previous revenue grants are now incorporated into mainstream funding through the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). A completely new grant for schools has been introduced called the Pupil Premium (PP) aimed at supporting pupils from deprived backgrounds. No longer is there ring fencing at school level for any of this funding so it is all available to be used to finance subscriptions to the award-winning Maths-Whizz Teachers’ Resource and Tutoring Plus. In addition, Devolved Formula Capital (DFC), continues to be available for “capital” items including multi-year provision of Maths-Whizz services.

The following information has been designed to help schools access award-winning Maths-Whizz through these new funding options in a way that will help schools raise standards and build confidence in Maths.

Funding options
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Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) - click to expand / collapse

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.

 

The Pupil Premium (PP) - click to expand / collapse

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 . 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) - click to expand / collapse

For primary schools, DFC in 2011-12 totals £4,000 per school plus £11.25 per pupil (substantially reduced from the 2010-11 school year). 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.

 

2012-2015 Funding Predictions - click to expand / collapse

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.

 

Other funding channels are based on particular government initiatives and aims (as illustrated below)

Early Intervention Grant (EIG) - click to expand / collapse

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) - click to expand / collapse

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 children with disabilities or SEN (as well as all levels of ability).

 

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) - click to expand / collapse

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.

 

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