HC Deb 08 July 1996 vol 281 cc84-5W
Mr. Robert McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the present age weighted pupil units that exist for post-primary school financing in the five area education boards and those for the voluntary grammar sector; and if he will make a statement. [35318]

Mr. Ancram

The information requested is as follows.

The age weighting of pupils depend on the form being attended. The range of age weightings in each educations and library board area and in the voluntary grammar school sector is as follows:

Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form 4 Form 5 Form 6
Belfast 1.80 1.75 1.85 1.95 2.02 2.30
North-eastern 1.83 1.75 1.83 1.92 2.02 2.30
South-eastern 1.90 1.80 1.90 2.00 2.01 2.51
Southern 1.60 1.60 1.60 1.80 1.80 2.50
Western 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.66 2.32
Voluntary grammar schools 1.60 1.60 1.60 1.80 1.80 2.40

The actual amount of resources available to individual schools depends on the cash value of each age-weighted pupil unit and this varies from board to board and In the voluntary grammar school sector.

Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the budget unit costs arising over the last three financial years from allocations under

Education and library board Secondary schools £ Grammar controlled£ Schools voluntary £ Controlled integrated'£ Grant maintained integrated schools£
1993–94
Belfast 2,398 2,211 2,211 n/a 2,424
North Eastern 2,213 2,033 n/a
South Eastern 2,129 2,032 n/a
Southern 2,079 2,249 3,128
Western 2,094 2.053 n/a
1994–95
Belfast 2,465 2,246 2,263 n/a 2,512
North Eastern 2,274 2,108 n/a
South Eastern 2,183 2,092 n/a
Southern 2,143 2,311 2,949
Western 2,192 2.123 n/a
1995–96
Belfast 2,529 2,289 2,381 n/a 2,964
North Eastern 2,301 2,140 n/a
South Eastern 2,213 2,122 n/a
Southern 2,156 2,331 2,529
Western 2,275 2,173 n/a
1 There is only one controlled integrated secondary school.

Differences between the figures reflect a range of differing factors, including, relative need between education and library boards, local needs and priorities within education and library boards, differing levels of need between schools, expanding enrolments and different levels of delegation between sectors. An additional factor affecting integrated schools is the high initial per capita cost of newly established schools.