MP welcomes important step towards fairer schools funding

MP David Mowat today welcomed an announcement by the government that could result in a fairer deal for Warrington on schools funding.
The Warrington South MP said a consultation on a new schools funding formula was an important step on the road to getting rid of an unfair, outdated formula.
Warrington has for years been one of the biggest losers from the current formula which sees some schools being given £2,300 more per pupil than schools with similar numbers of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds in other areas.
Mr Mowat has campaigned for reform of the existing formula since being elected to Parliament in 2010.
Last Autumn he presented a Parliamentary Petition, signed by hundreds of
teachers and parents in the borough, calling on the Government to reform the current formula – which has been in place for more than a quarter of a century.
Chancellor George Osborne announced in his Autumn Statement that the new formula would be in place by 2017.
Anyone who wishes to contribute to the consultation can do so at:
https://consult.education.gov.uk
Mr Mowat said: “This consultation is another important step on the road to getting rid of this unfair, outdated formula and replacing it with one that is fit for purpose.
“I know from talking to heads that schools are having to cut back on teaching support staff as a result of the squeeze. That risks seeing children from disadvantaged backgrounds falling further behind instead of catching up with their classmates.
“I hope that parents and teachers in Warrington will get behind this consultation as our town is likely to be one of the big winners from reform.”