§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average funding per student studying A levels at(a)a sixth form college, (b)a further education college and (c)a sixth form attached to a comprehensive school is in the 2004–05 financial year. [176442]
§ Alan JohnsonUnder the Learning and Skills Council's funding formula the basic cost to the public purse of delivering three A-levels in a sixth form college and a further education college to a student in the 2004/05 academic year will be £3,045. This figure comprises £766 for the delivery of each A-level learning aim, and £747 for each student for the entitlement element of their learning programme. Under the LSC's funding formula the basic cost to the public purse of delivering three A-levels to a student at an English maintained secondary school will be £3,212. This figure comprises £785 for the delivery of each A-level learning aim, £750 for each student for the entitlement element of their learning programme, and £107 for each student to meet additional employers' contributions to teachers' pensions. These figures do not represent all funding that colleges and schools receive and are not directly comparable. For example the further education funding rates include consolidated funds for pay and staff training that are not reflected in the school sixth form rates. Also, in each case additional funding may also be available to take account of the higher costs of delivering learning in particular geographical areas, in higher cost subjects or to students with particular disadvantages or individual needs.