§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the(a) average funding of each schoolchild in England and (b) the level of funding for a schoolchild in Shrewsbury and Atcham. [151407]
§ Mr. MilibandThe average national funding for 2004–05 provided through the Education Formula Spending Share for 2004–05 is £3,515. The formula for the main primary and secondary sub-blocks comprises a basic entitlement for each pupil, which is the same across the country, plus a top-up for each pupil with additional educational needs, which is again the same across the country, plus top-ups for areas where it costs more to recruit and retain teachers. Local education authorities with a greater proportion of pupils with additional educational needs or higher average earnings will receive a higher level of funding per pupil. The Government do not directly fund school children in Shrewsbury and Atcham. The Government provide funding to Shropshire county council which is then responsible for funding its schools.