Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of whether split site funding provides adequate support for schools operating across multiple sites; and whether her Department has estimated the number of schools whose additional annual costs arising from split site arrangements exceed the funding provided.

The national funding formula (NFF) includes a split sites factor in recognition that schools operating across more than one site face additional costs. Schools attract a £55,100 lump sum payment for each of their additional eligible sites. Additionally, schools whose sites are separated by more than 100 metres will attract distance funding. The distance funding varies depending on how far apart the sites are, up to a maximum of £27,600 for sites which are at least 500 metres away from the main site.

The department consulted on the operation of the split sites factor before it was introduced in 2024/25, including the amount of funding to be allocated through the factor. We implemented the option which had most support from respondents, with only a minority (24%) supporting higher levels of funding through the factor. The government keeps all elements of the national funding formula under review as part of its ongoing consideration of school funding arrangements.