Norfolk's school children funded below national average
November 2, 2009 8:22 PM
Latest figures reveal that funding per pupil in Norfolk is £280 less than the national average.
A parliamentary question tabled by Liberal Democrat MP David Laws, revealed that in 2008/09 funding per pupil in Norfolk was £4,410 compared with the English average of £4,690. Many London Boroughs are receiving around £7,000 per pupil.
The gap between Norfolk funding per pupil and the national average amounts to the equivalent of £280,000 for a school of 1,000 pupils.
Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South, said:
"It's vital that while we're in the middle of a recession, Norfolk's school children are not let down by education budgets. Our schools deserve a fair deal from the Government.
"The shortfall in Norfolk's funding per pupil, compared with the English average, would pay for the equivalent of around ten extra teachers in an average size secondary school.
"Many teachers and children are working really hard, so it was disappointing to see a dip in Norfolk's standing in GCSE and A-level results earlier this year. However, its not surprising to see a performance gap while a substantial funding gap exists for our schools.
"The educational challenges that schools face here in Norfolk are at least as great, and probably greater, than in most parts of the country. Schools in Norfolk have got to work hard to overcome the problems that blight education in the county, including low aspirations and poor social mobility.
"At the same time, local schools are facing some of the same pressures as businesses with the increase of energy prices in recent years and general inflation costs."
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