News reports located on this page = 4.

Every pupil in North West to see another rise in funding in 2021

SCHOOLS across the North West are set to receive ₤5.3 billion in 2021, which is a ₤221 million increase from 2019, in the next step to level up funding across the country. Funding figures released, on Monday, 20 July 2020, show how every pupil is to benefit from the second year of the Government's School funding settlement worth a total of ₤14.4 billion nationwide over 3 years; the biggest increase in a decade. The investment will continue to deliver on the Prime Minister's pledge to level up education funding and give all young people the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of where they grow up or go to School. Funding is being allocated through the transformative national School funding formula, which ensures Schools from the largest City Secondaries to the smallest community primaries are allocated funding more fairly to meet their pupils' needs. This has replaced the unfair and outdated previous system, where Schools with similar characteristics received very different levels of funding with little or no justification. New data published today shows that ⅔ of Local Authorities have now moved towards allocating their funding for Schools based on the national funding formula, meaning that funding for Schools is fairer. Schools are also set to receive significant investment from the Government's ₤1 billion Covid-19 catch up package next academic year, with guidance and funding for Schools, that was published on Monday, 20 July 2020.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:- "Every child deserves a superb education; regardless of which School they attend, or where they happened to grow up. That is why we are providing additional funding now and for the future for every School; with those historically underfunded receiving the greatest increase. I want to again thank Teachers, Childcare Workers and Support Staff for the brilliant work they have done throughout the pandemic, and for the preparations underway to welcome back all children from September. Our ₤1 billion Covid-19 catch up package, on top of these increases in per pupil funding, will help head Teachers support those who have fallen behind while out of School, and deliver a superb education for all children across the country."

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:- "This year has been incredibly challenging for Schools, Teachers, and students due to the Covid-19 outbreak, with everyone working in education going to incredible lengths to support children and ensure they can get back to the classroom. Not only are we confirming another year of increased and better targeted funding for our Schools, but with our transformative national funding formula we are making sure the money is distributed fairly across the country so all Schools can drive up standards. With ⅔ of Local Authorities now having moved towards the national funding formula, it is time for the remainder to follow suit and ensure fairness for every child. Our ₤1 billion Covid-19 catch up fund comes on top of this ₤14.4 billion 3 year School funding boost, meaning that this Government is leaving no stone unturned in levelling up opportunities for every young person up and down the country."

Each Secondary School will attract a minimum of ₤5,150 per pupil and each Primary a minimum of ₤4,000 per pupil under the national funding formula from 2021, up from the ₤5,000 and ₤3,750 which Schools are receiving this year in the 1st year of the funding settlement. Extra funding for small and remote Schools will increase by over 60%, reflecting the financial challenges that these Schools can face, and the unique role they play in local communities. Pupils and families in rural areas from Cumbria to Norfolk will benefit from support for their local Schools to remain financially secure. An additional protection built into the funding formula means every pupil, regardless of the amount of funding they currently receive, will attract a year on year increase of at least 2%. Funding to cover increases to Teacher pay and pensions worth ₤2 billion will also be included from 2021 rather than paid separately, reassuring Schools that the funding will continue to be provided in their core budgets.

Whilst the number of Councils moving closer to the national funding formula is significant progress, there is still more to do, and we will soon put forward plans to deliver funding to Schools directly through the national funding formula so that all Schools receive the funding they deserve.

Today we have also confirmed that allocations from the ₤650 million catch up premium,1 part of the overall ₤1 billion Covid-19 catch up package, will be based on the number of pupils and paid once a term over the 2020/21 academic year. A 1,000 pupil Secondary School will receive ₤80,000 and a 200 pupil primary School will receive ₤16,000 to tackle the impact of lost teaching time on pupils as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

HeadTeachers can decide how best to use their Schools' premium allocation to tackle the impact of lost teaching time on their pupils, but are encouraged to spend it on evidence driven approaches including small group or1 to1 tuition, support over the summer, or additional support for great teaching. Disadvantaged pupils in Schools and colleges will also benefit from the second part of the catch up fund, a ₤350m tutoring fund. From the 2nd ˝ of the 2020/21 autumn term, the National Tutoring Programme will provide support to disadvantaged pupils aged 5 to 16 in 2 ways: Schools in all Regions will be able to access heavily subsidised tuition from organisations on a list of approved partners, while some of the most disadvantaged Schools will be supported to employ in house academic mentors to provide intensive support to pupils.

Teach 1st has joined a coalition of charities with investment from the National Tutoring Programme and has began recruiting the 1st cohort of academic mentors. These recruits will work in Schools serving disadvantaged communities to support pupils through1 to1 and small group tuition next academic year.

As part of the tutoring fund, we will also provide a 1 off, ring fenced grant of up to ₤96M for colleges, 6th forms and all 16 to 19 providers, to provide small group tutoring activity for disadvantaged 16 to 19 students whose studies have been disrupted.

Russell Hobby, Chief Executive of Teach 1st said:- "We're honoured to join the National Tutoring Programme and kick off recruitment of the 1st wave of academic mentors. Their salaries will be funded for Schools and evidence shows that by working under the direction of experienced Teachers they can be precisely deployed to support the children who need them most."

Professor Becky Francis, CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), said:- "The Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the vital role of Schools at the heart of communities, a role which will only continue as the sector works to mitigate against the impact of School closures in the next School year and beyond. School leaders will need to make difficult decisions about what to prioritise in the coming months, so it is right to recognise the tremendous strain the pandemic has placed on the sector, and on the necessary level of support, through this catch up package. Our short guide aims to provide evidence and signposts to additional resources that Schools can use to support those decisions."

Leora Cruddas, CEO of the Confederation of School Trusts, said:- "We are pleased that there will be a rise in per-pupil funding in England in 2021. It is very important that there is also an increase in funding for special education needs where the sector has felt significant cost pressures. It is important that education funding is not left behind during the response to the global pandemic."

To read the guidance issued to Head Teachers, please click on this link.

CLA encourages responsible metal detecting

THE CLA (Country Land and Business Association) is calling on all metal detectorists to abide by common sense rules contained in the Metal Detecting Code of Conduct after Northumbria Police recently arrested a man for theft as he was illegally detecting along Hadrian's Wall near Horsley. There are an estimated 30,000 metal detectorists in Britain, with many of them signing up to a voluntary code designed to minimise the damage they do to farmland. The code requires detectorists not to trespass by 1st seeking an agreement with the landowner or farmer, and also to notify the landowner if any discoveries are made. By law, all finds must be submitted to the Portable Antiquities Scheme for identification and recording by archaeologists, which will then be made available to the local Historic Environment Record. Metal detectors, which were originally designed to help find unexploded German landmines, have since been adopted by enthusiasts. Until the passage of the Treasure Act in 1996, discoveries were the property of the Crown, unless the rightful owner could be found. Under current legislation major discoveries still have to reported to the Finds Liaison Officer, linked to the nearest archaeological museum. It is the Officer's role to decide whether the item should be classed as Treasure Trove, in which case it goes to the crown or whether it can be kept by the finder, who in turn has to reach an agreement with the landowner.

CLA North Rural Adviser Jane Harrison said:- "We appreciate that the majority of metal detectorists are compliant with their code, and strongly advise amateur treasure hunters to abide by the same rules. The CLA is also warning private landowners that they are at risk of becoming embroiled in costly legal disputes if they fail to agree a contract with anyone searching their land. Responsible metal detectorists can unearth much that contributes to our heritage, but landowners must have control over all activities on their property. Landowners should have an agreement in place before allowing people onto their land. It is also important for the public to report any illegal detecting, such as on Sites of Special Scientific Interest and ancient monuments, to the Police giving as much information as possible."

The CLA has a pro forma agreement that landowners can use to facilitate metal detecting on their land, and its members are strongly advised to have such an agreement in place. More information on the Portable Antiquities Scheme can be found at:- Finds.Org.UK.  Also go online to find your local metal detectorists groups, as they should also be able to give you advice and often do organised events, that will start again when restrictions allow.

CARE England, who are the largest representative body for independent providers of Adult Social Care, within England, has called upon Government to improve the future sustainability of the learning disability sector.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:- "The learning disability sector is 1 of the fastest growing sectors in Adult Social Care. As a result of increased demand induced by demographic factors, historic workforce issues and increased difficulties in the access to care, the pertinence of the learning disability sector is likely to grow and demand greater Governmental attention and action than what has been given previously."

Despite the increased demand, the learning disability population in receipt of Adult Social Care has been largely overlooked over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is demonstrated through, but not limited to: the lack of accurate data on deaths at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic; lack of testing; insufficient access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff; a lack of Governmental understanding about the delivery of specialist care and the settings in which the care is delivered; and the blanket use of do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR).

Care England's own analysis of how the learning disability sector has been impacted by Covid-19 indicates a slight decrease in overall occupancy rates and an increase in staffing costs driven by increased:- absence payments, sickness costs, shielding costs, overtime costs, agency costs and gratuity payments.

Martin Green continues:- "Emerging systems to manage the virus have been put in place as a result of the change Covid-19 has demanded, however significant action is still required to better meet the care needs of the learning disability population. We encourage Government to consider those cost areas which can be reduced to assist Adult Social Care providers. It is important that due attention is given to addressing business costs, providing PPE free of charge, extending the Infection Control Fund and ensuring that all commissioners, Local Authority and CCG, pass on funds given to support the COVID-19 response."