Torbay MP Kevin Foster has welcomed news young people across Torbay are benefiting from rising school standards, with 4 more schools rated good or outstanding compared with 2010.
To help teachers and school leaders build on this impressive progress, schools across Torbay will see a funding boost of £2,554,459 in 2018-2019. This will bring funding for schools in Torbay to £91,173,245. The Government’s new funding formula has been developed to help end historic funding inequalities. For the first time, funding will be based on the individual needs and characteristics of every school in the country, rather than its postcode.
It is supported by an additional £1.3 billion, and the total core schools funding budget will rise from just under £41 billion to £43.5 billion over the next two years. This is the highest ever level of school funding, and represents more than a 50 per cent real terms per pupil increase since 2000-01.
Funding of £6,447,427 was made available in 2017-18 to ensure disadvantaged children get the support they need this year alone. This funding is helping to close the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their more affluent peers, ensuring all young people can go as far as their talents will take them.
And thanks to Government reforms, more children are not only studying the core academic subjects, but doing well in them. The proportion of children in Torbay passing all components of the English Baccalaureate – which includes English, Maths, the Sciences and a language has risen by 3.6 per cent since 2011.
Commenting Kevin said: “Our schools do a fantastic job, and it is a testament to their hard work that more children in Torbay are gaining the knowledge and skills they need to succeed, whatever they choose to do.
“A broad and balanced curriculum opens doors for young people as they leave school, and it is fantastic to see more local children are taking the vital subjects which will give them options as they plan their careers.
“This news, combined with the £25m investment being made in delivering the highest levels of technical skills training via the new EPIC and Hi-Tech Skills Centres in Paignton will ensure the bay’s next generation have the opportunities they need to succeed.”
ENDS
For more information please contact Kevin Foster on 01803 214 989