Julian has welcomed the availability of more financial support for schools such as Nidderdale High School and Upper Wharfedale School following the Government’s review of how rural schools are allocated funding.
The Department for Education’s Fairer School Funding Review for 2015-16 specifically recognises the challenges faced by small secondary schools serving sparsely populated areas and allows both schools to receive up to £50,000 of additional funding, which can be applied for by the local authority.
It follows a campaign by the MP which involved meetings with the schools, North Yorkshire County Council, and the Schools Minister David Laws during the review.
In a letter to Mr Smith from the Schools Minister, David Laws says the situation at Nidderdale High and Upper Wharfedale Schools had a ‘large bearing on our decision to allow local authorities to apply for an exceptional factor in their funding formula’.
Julian said:
“The decision to recognise the challenges faced by small rural schools in the Fairer School Funding Review is extremely welcome. Schools such as Nidderdale High and Upper Wharfedale are hugely important to their local communities and I want to ensure they have a strong and sustainable future.”