School News In Time For Christmas
As we all wind down for Christmas this weekend, we’ve rounded up a few of the latest news articles that will bring Christmas cheer to many.
SEND Success
In recent months there has been pressure on the DfE and councils to accommodate the growing need for SEND spaces within schools, or dedicated schools within a council’s district.
In a positive turn of events, a new requirement released last week announced that councils are now required to boost special school funding by 3.4%.
While this move will help to ease some of the pressures, those within the education sector or families with SEN children are tentative about celebrating the move stating that it will not fully alleviate the challenges that the industry faces.
Councils are also instructed to consult schools before finalising their allocations. Schools this applies to include special schools and pupil referral units that councils maintain, as well as all special and AP academies located in their area.
Pupil Premium Rates To Rise
In a bid to “embed tutoring in schools long-term,” the government have increased their pupil premium rates by £70 per child at primary level and £50 per child at secondary level. This raise in support comes as part of the £2.3 billion funding boost announced in the autumn statement.
This increase comes as a bid to aid disadvantaged students to have access to the targeted support they require. Such as improved access to free school meals and high-quality tutoring.
School Buildings
Unfortunately, not all our stories this week bring cheer. One of the most concerning trends that have been brought to the attention of media outlets in recent months is the dilapidated state of many schools across the UK.
With a great number of school buildings dating to between 1945 and 1970, many are facing structural issues that need addressing urgently. As budgets are tight within the modern climate, many of these issues are going unaddressed or are having a “band-aid” style fix to secure them for short-term use.
For more information on this story please take a look at The Guardian.
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