Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that changes in the level of funding for schools do not result in the reduction of pastoral or other child support services.

The introduction of the national funding formulae is supported by significant extra funding of £1.3bn across 2018-19 and 2019-20, over and above the budget announced at the 2015 spending review. As a result, per pupil funding will be maintained in real terms for the next two years.

Under the national funding formula for schools, every school will attract at least 0.5% more per pupil in 2018-19, and 1% more in 2019-20, compared to its baseline. Under the national funding formula for high needs, every local authority will see a similar minimum increase in funding of 0.5% in 2018-19, and 1% in 2019-20.

We believe that in a school led system it is right for school leaders to decide how best to allocate their resources, including on pastoral and other child support services. We are committed to helping schools improve outcomes for pupils and promote social mobility by ensuring schools achieve the best value from all their resources. We already provide schools with support, guidance and tools to help them maximise their efficiency and long-term financial health and we will now go further to ensure that support is effectively used by schools.