Policy Hub
Need for increased resources for disadvantaged children, to meet government performance targets
On 19 November 2003, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) published a report (Fairer Funding for Schools) which finds that the government's plans to avoid budget cuts in schools in 2004 will not help the most disadvantaged children.
The report shows that recent changes to the funding formulae have given more weight to disadvantaged children. However, the planned flat rate increases for next year will be of little benefit to schools with high concentrations of deprived pupils. It is doubtful whether some of the government's performance targets will be reached unless the resources are available to those children who need additional support.
A summary of the report can be viewed on the IPPR website