Schools given £400m for the ‘ little extras’

SCHOOLS will receive a share of £400mil- lion to help them buy ‘little extras’.

The one-off capital payment would equate to an average of £10,000 per primary school and £50,000 per secondary school.

Announcing the cash injection, Philip Hammond said he recognised budgets did not always allow teachers to get that ‘extra bit of kit’.

However, the pledge was not enough for teaching unions, which accused him of ignorance for ‘promising more money for potholes than schools’.

Schools say they are having to cut staff and courses just to make ends meet, with some sending begging letters to parents. The Chancellor insisted investment in schools was at a record level and standards were improving nationally.

But he added: ‘I recognise that school budgets often do not stretch to that extra bit of kit that would make such a difference. So today I am announcing a £400million in-year bonus to help our schools buy the little extras they need.’

Mr Hammond said the one-off fund can be used for equipment and facilities, such as lab apparatus, sports kit, musical instruments and computers.

Geoff Barton of the Association of School and College Leaders said while the announcement was welcome, it ‘hardly scratches the surface of what is needed’.

‘Many schools don’t have enough money to provide a full curriculum or individual support to pupils, let alone provide “little extras”,’ he added.

Kevin Courtney of the National Education Union said: ‘The Chancellor has shown in this budget the depth of his ignorance on school funding. The Government has promised more money for potholes than schools in this budget.

‘Schools are struggling to provide a full and well-rounded education and many schools have fallen into debt – money for “little extras” won’t cut it. Parents, teachers, head teachers and school staff will be dismayed. Austerity will continue for children despite the Chancellor’s claims.’

Analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies this year found per pupil spending in England’s schools has fallen by 8 per cent since 2010 when all the cost pressures are considered.

The study said rising pupil numbers – and cuts to local authorities and sixth form funding – have seen a real-term reduction in school spending.

The Department for Education has said funding will be at an all-time high of £43.5billion by 2020.