Funding boost welcomed as new figures show local schools have improved

Robert Largan MP has welcomed the government’s increase to school funding, after a new core school budget of almost £60 billion was announced for 2024-25, which is the highest ever level in real terms.

This funding also includes an extra £440 million investment to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) by funding special schools and providing mainstream schools with the additional resources they need. This extra cash comes hot on the heels of new figures confirming that local schools are getting better.

As of 2024, 89 per cent of schools and nurseries in the High Peak are rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, compared with 56 per cent in 2010, with England continuing to rise up the global rankings in maths, reading, and science.

Just this month, England was ranked 11th in the world for maths, up from 27th in 2009, placing England as one of the top performing countries in the western world. In May 2023, England was named ‘best in the west’ for primary reading.

Commenting, Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, said: “This record funding will be a big help for local schools. We’re really seeing the progress that has been made with the latest Ofsted reports. Eighty-nine per cent of local schools are now rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ compared to only 56 per cent under the last Labour Government.

“Previously underperforming schools like Hope Valley College and Glossopdale School have now been upgraded to ‘good’ by Ofsted.

"Education in the High Peak is going from strength to strength!”

Commenting, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “Our schools and our teachers are better than ever – and it’s so important that as standards continue to rise, so does our support for schools.

“That is why boosting school funding was the first thing I did as Education Secretary, and why I will continue to make sure our brilliant schools and teachers have the tools they need to make sure every child receives a world-class education.”