This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-35726883

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Morgan tackles 'unfair' school funding Morgan tackles 'unfair' school funding
(about 4 hours later)
Education Secretary Nicky Morgan is pushing ahead with a "national funding formula" for schools, to tackle uneven levels of funding across different parts of England. Education Secretary Nicky Morgan is pushing ahead with a "national funding formula" for schools, to tackle uneven levels of funding across England.
Mrs Morgan is launching a consultation to replace a system she says is "outdated, inefficient and unfair".Mrs Morgan is launching a consultation to replace a system she says is "outdated, inefficient and unfair".
The funding shake-up will also remove local authorities from the process, with cash going directly to heads.The funding shake-up will also remove local authorities from the process, with cash going directly to heads.
Unions warn the change will mean a fall nationally for school budgets. Labour has accused the government of "dodging difficult questions" about who will lose funding in the changes.
Mrs Morgan says schools need funding that "genuinely matches their need".Mrs Morgan says schools need funding that "genuinely matches their need".
She says the plans will ensure money goes "straight to the frontline", but it will mark a further reduction in the link between local authorities and schools.She says the plans will ensure money goes "straight to the frontline", but it will mark a further reduction in the link between local authorities and schools.
Changing needsChanging needs
On Monday the education secretary will take the next step towards introducing a new school funding formula in 2017-18, after complaints about local anomalies and spending gaps.On Monday the education secretary will take the next step towards introducing a new school funding formula in 2017-18, after complaints about local anomalies and spending gaps.
For example, pupils in Rotherham each receive £500 per year more in funding than those in Plymouth, even though they have similar levels of disadvantage.For example, pupils in Rotherham each receive £500 per year more in funding than those in Plymouth, even though they have similar levels of disadvantage.
In December, MPs led by former Education Select Committee chairman Graham Stuart presented a petition calling for change, saying the best-funded areas received up to £6,300 per pupil per year, while the worst-funded received £4,200.In December, MPs led by former Education Select Committee chairman Graham Stuart presented a petition calling for change, saying the best-funded areas received up to £6,300 per pupil per year, while the worst-funded received £4,200.
The government has a manifesto pledge to create a more consistent way to distribute more than £40bn per year of the core schools budget - and says it wants to end funding rates based on "oddities of history".The government has a manifesto pledge to create a more consistent way to distribute more than £40bn per year of the core schools budget - and says it wants to end funding rates based on "oddities of history".
Further details were announced in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, with the promise of a national rate for each pupil, with extra funding for those with additional needs.Further details were announced in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, with the promise of a national rate for each pupil, with extra funding for those with additional needs.
But teachers' unions have warned that despite local redistributions of funding, the change will mean an overall national fall in real-terms school budgets. Russell Hobby, leader of the National Association of Head Teachers, backed the principle of a fairer redistribution of funding.
There have also been warnings that re-balancing funding will mean some schools lose out, particularly in inner London. He also supported a "big shift" in more money going directly to schools.
But he warned that there would be both "winners and losers" under a new funding regime and there was still "scant detail" about how this would be decided.
There have been warnings that some schools will lose out, particularly in inner London.
The Department for Education says the current system is out of date and no longer reflect levels of need.The Department for Education says the current system is out of date and no longer reflect levels of need.
It says that in the past 10 years, the proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals has doubled in Lincolnshire and nearly halved in Southwark.It says that in the past 10 years, the proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals has doubled in Lincolnshire and nearly halved in Southwark.
The education department says that for the new funding formula there will be a basic level of per pupil funding, with extra support allocated depending on need, such as high levels of deprivation or for schools in high-cost areas.
For local authority schools, including the majority of primary schools, there will be a two year transition period, in which funding will cease to be distributed through councils.For local authority schools, including the majority of primary schools, there will be a two year transition period, in which funding will cease to be distributed through councils.
Councils will have a funding role in areas with "high-level special educational needs", but will no longer be involved as a channel for basic funding for schools.Councils will have a funding role in areas with "high-level special educational needs", but will no longer be involved as a channel for basic funding for schools.
Academy schools and trusts already receive funding through the government's Education Funding Agency.Academy schools and trusts already receive funding through the government's Education Funding Agency.
"We want every school in England to get the funding it deserves, so that all children - whatever their background and wherever they live in the country - get a great education," said Mrs Morgan. Labour's shadow education secretary Lucy Powell says that for a national funding formula "the devil will be in the detail" and claimed that the government was stalling on revealing where schools would have reduced levels of funding.
She also warned that the overall schools budget would see a real-terms spending cut, which would have a "huge impact".
But Mrs Morgan said the changes would provide a fairer allocation of resources.
"We want every school in England to get the funding it deserves, so that all children - whatever their background and wherever they live in the country - get a great education."