Extra schools cash is set out to raise levels
STRUGGLING kids in Halton will be supported after the Government announced extra investment to drive up education standards.
The borough, along with Liverpool and Knowsley, Halton has been included among 24 priority investment areas which will receive “intensive, bespoke support from the Government to rapidly raise standards”, according to the Department for Education.
The interventions are part of the Government’s first Schools White Paper in six years which aims to ensure 90% of children across the country reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at age 11 by 2030.
In 2019, only 65% of children achieved this standard, with the Government suggesting that the pandemic will have exacerbated the challenges despite the work parents and teachers in difficult circumstances.
The plans were launched by Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi who pledged that any child who falls behind in maths or English will get the support they need to get back on track. According to the Department for Education, £86m will be made available to grow and strengthen mu l t i - a c a d e m y trusts over the next three years with a particular focus on ‘Education Investment Areas’, those of which include Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.
Announcing the plans, education minister, Robin Walker MP said: “Liverpool is set to receive an additional £26m of capital funding to support them deliver school places needed for September 2024 and for September 2025.
Per pupil funding is also expected to increase by around 5.6%, bringing total core mainstream revenue school funding to around £378.7m in Liverpool in 2022-23, including the additional supplementary grant for schools that was secured in the Spending Review last autumn.”
He added: “From north to south, east to west, we are working harder and better than ever to help all children and young people fulfil their potential.”
Knowsley, Liverpool, Halton are included in the Government’s ‘priority investment areas’ and will receive a portion of a further £40m of additional funding.
This, according to the Government, will be used for bespoke interventions to “address local needs, such as high absence rates.”