HC Deb 14 March 2002 vol 381 cc1218-9W
Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her answer of 11 March 2002,Official Report, columns 770–72W, if she will list Standards Fund grants which are not allocated to LEAs on a formula basis; what additional education funding is not allocated through (a) the Standards Fund and (b) special grants; and which additional educational funding schools are expected to apply for. [43351]

Mr. Timms

All Standards Fund grants are allocated to local education authorities on a formula basis, except for grants supporting grammar school/non-selective school partnerships and the training school initiative, which are based on individual agreements between the Department and the partnership or school. The grants funding Welcome Back bonuses and Golden Hellos for teachers require applications from schools but are allocated by a formula on receipt of the application. Schools may also apply to become part of the Specialist Schools programme, funded through the Standards Fund, and if successful the resulting additional funding is allocated by a formula.

The following initiatives involve additional funding allocated by formula to local education authorities outside the Standards Fund or Special Grant mechanisms:

  • Nursery education grant;
  • Special educational needs co-ordinators (early years);
  • Early years training;
  • Child care grant;
  • Neighbourhood nursery initiative (primarily a child care grant);
  • Grant maintained school transitional grant for insurance; and
  • Capital funding for voluntary aided schools.

The last two initiatives listed will require applications from schools, with funding allocated by formula on receipt of the application. The Teachers' Threshold Grant and Teachers' Performance Pay Progression Grant, paid via Special Grants, are also allocated in this way.