(Title Image: via Senedd TV)
An independent review by educational economist Luke Sibieta – commissioned to analyse school funding in Wales – has concluded that spending-per-pupil has fallen in real terms by 6% since 2008-09 (pdf).
Just over £6,000 was spent per pupil in Wales during 2018-19, though the report found there was up to a £1,500-per-pupil difference between schools which have a similar levels of deprivation amongst their student populations.
“I am fully aware of the real pressures that Local Authorities and schools are now facing as a consequence of the pandemic – such challenges make it even more important that a considered review of the school funding system has been undertaken to ensure it is well-placed to assist policymakers as we move forward.”
– Education Minister, Kirsty Williams (Lib Dem, Brecon & Radnor)
Despite this, schools in the 20% most deprived areas spend between £650-£700 more per-pupil than the national average, mainly driven by the Welsh Government’s Pupil Deprivation Grant. Welsh-medium schools (and particularly Welsh-medium secondary schools) also spend more per-pupil than English-medium schools on average – said to be down to larger (often rural) catchment areas.
Teachers’ pay and conditions were said to be one of the main funding pressures going forward, particularly in any race to keep up with changes to teachers’ pay in England.
The report recommends:
- The Welsh Government shouldn’t set a single per-pupil spending figure (though local authority school budget formulae should be simpler and more transparent).
- The Welsh Government should set a three-year funding assessment for schools.
- The focus should continue to remain on spending more money in the most-deprived schools as well as schools with sixth forms.
- School spending decisions should be based on the latest hard evidence on the effect of budgets on school performance.
