Northern Ireland Office

Head teachers and governors in every school in Northern Ireland were today informed of their share of a £10 million boost in school funding.

The money is part of an additional funding allocation made to Northern Ireland in the Chancellor’s Budget in March 2006, and is going directly to schools as part of the Children and Young People Funding Package. Schools will receive a further £10 million next year.

Commenting on the allocations, Secretary of State Peter Hain MP said: “The Government's commitment to education is clear. Since 1997, education funding has increased by more than 60%, at a time when pupil numbers have been falling. Last year, funding for current expenditure reached a massive £1.6 billion and by 2007/08 will have increased by a further £130 million.

“Today’s announcement is further tangible evidence of the government’s commitment to education and the future of children and young people across Northern Ireland. This £10million will improve educational standards.

“The money is going directly to school heads because we trust them to know how it should be spent within their individual schools.”

Announcing the allocations during a visit to Holy Family Primary School in Belfast, Education Minister Maria Eagle said: “Every single pupil in Northern Ireland will benefit from this investment, and Holy Family Primary School, which I am visiting today, will receive about £8,900. An average primary school will receive around £4,500 while an average post-primary can expect to receive around £24,700. The largest schools will receive up to £20,000 for a primary and £71,800 for a post-primary.

“There will be minimum amounts for schools, to ensure that individual schools receive a meaningful sum. Funding above the minima has been allocated under the Common Funding Formula, to reflect pupil numbers and individual schools’ circumstances.”

Commenting on the reform of the education system, Maria Eagle said: “We all share a common goal of wanting the best education for children, and this extra funding will make a real difference.  But it could deliver so much more. We need to look at new ways of working smarter, and to make sure that funding goes directly to pupils.

“School heads must make sure that this extra money makes a real difference to their pupils, both in the classroom and for after school activities.

“I want to make particularly clear to those schools which have carried forward unspent surpluses that they must not deny this funding to the children in their schools but must make sure that it is spent wisely for the benefit of pupils.”

Each school’s new funding allocation, taking into account the additional allocation, is available on the DE website.

The Minister went on to announce a further £800,000 funding for 23 schools in north and east Belfast: “This £800,000 is in addition to today’s £10 million announcement and is part of the Interface Schools Support Programme.  

“More schools than ever before will receive support as a result of today’s Support Programme. Schools in the programme are operating in the face of social deprivation and community violence, occasionally involving attacks against pupils, staff or the school buildings and this extra funding will help them address some of the challenges that they face.”

The Minister concluded: “This Government’s commitment to the education sector is backed by record funding levels. Tomorrow I will announce the names of more than 470 schools to be offered a share in the allocation of £10million to support extended services.

“This funding will enable the schools to offer a range of activities before and after the school day and to develop partnerships with neighbouring schools and other organisations in order to provide improved services to local communities.

“Taken with today’s announcement, this will mean an extra £20 million direct to schools this year and again next year.”

Notes To Editors

The £10m Children and Young People Funding Package will go directly to Northern Ireland schools, including special schools.

Schools will receive on average; nursery £1,700, primary £4,500 and post primary £24,700.

The funding has been allocated using the Common Funding Formula with minimum thresholds of: nursery £1,000, primary £2,000 and post-primary £5,000.

Special schools will receive on average £4,000. As these schools are not funded through the Common Funding Formula, funding has been based on pupil numbers, with a minimum threshold of £1,000.

Revised budget allocations for individual schools can be accessed on the DE website