§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what representations he has received about(a) falling rolls and (b) shortfall in funding to schools attended by children of Service personnel, caused by delays in transferring regiments; and if he will make a statement; [120351]
558W(2)if he will make specific funding available to schools attended by children of Service personnel whose rolls have been reduced because of delays in transferring regiments; and if he will make a statement;[120352]
(3) if he will provide additional core funding for schools attended by children of Service personnel to assist with (a) turbulence and (b) other factors; and if he will make a statement.[120353]
§ Mr. MilibandTwo schools in Colchester wrote to the Secretary of State in March 2003 about funding issues for schools with a large proportion of pupils who are children of Service personnel. There is no need for specific or additional funding from central Government for such schools. The Regulations which govern local education authority funding formulae for schools permit the use of factors which give extra funding for high turbulence levels, or compensation for significant falls in numbers on roll. The Essex formula for school funding already has a turbulence factor. If the schools believe this to be inadequate, they should seek reconsideration at local level, perhaps through the Essex schools forum.