I have received this information from the county council concerning the shortfall in schools funding.

Revised 16 to 18 funding allocations and their impact on schools

1. Background – National Context

1.1 Schools received a provisional funding allocation for sixth form provision in February of this year. This allocation, which was broadly confirmed early in March, was based on schools’ existing sixth form numbers, from the October 2008 student count.

1.2 The March letter to schools, from the LSC [Learning and Skills Council], indicated that these provisional allocations were dependent upon the Department providing additional funding to meet the consolidated numbers which are running ahead of the level of funding allocated to the LSC from the DCSF [Department for Children, Schools and Families]. Early indications from the DCSF were that steps were being taken to find the additional money to at least fund schools on their October count. However, it has become clear in the last few days that this additional money has not been forthcoming. As a consequence, the DCSF has informed the LSC that it must reduce the funding to schools and colleges. This means that schools with sixth forms (all of Hertfordshire’s Schools) will have their post-16 budgets cut by 3.71%. This is particularly problematic as school budgets have already been set for the new financial year.

1.3 A wide variety of national and regional groups are actively lobbying the DCSF and Treasury to release the money needed to fully fund the number of young people due to take up post 16 education in September 2009.

2. Impact on Hertfordshire’s Schools

2.1 The overall impact on Hertfordshire’s schools is significant. The total shortfall for the academic year 2009/10 will be a little over £3.8m.

2.2 The table below summarises the impact on Hertfordshire’s schools.

Level of the unexpected reduction in funding for the academic year 2009/10

up to £25k: 13 schools
£25k to £50k: 33 schools
£50k to £100k: 24 schools
£100k plus: 5 schools