The long-awaited announcement from the government on Wednesday regarding the new national funding formula wasn’t a surprise to most. In general, the changes were made to ‘address the historic gaps in funding between different areas’ and to put a stop to the ‘postcode lottery’ of funding to schools. For the most part, we will see the money moving from London and other urban areas to more rural, less affluent parts of the country.

But what does this mean for us locally? How do these national trends affect schools in Croydon, Bromley and Sutton?

• Croydon will receive an overall increase in its schools block funding of 2.1% in year one of the NFF. This translates to an average 1.7% increase when considering the movement for all individual schools across the borough. The range of movements is between -1.5% and + 3%. The majority of schools (82) show an increase, 17 show a decrease, and two are flat. The high needs block is predicted to remain flat, with no increase in funding. Whilst most schools see an increase from this new allocation, we have yet to see what Croydon will do with it
• Sutton is predicted to have an overall increase of 1.2% in the schools block. Individual schools show movements between -1.4% and +2.9%. Around half of the schools show an increase, and half a decrease. The high needs block is predicted to remain flat, with no increase in funding.
• Bromley is predicted to have an overall increase of 0.1%. Individual schools show movements of between -1.4% and + 2.9%. 75 schools show a decrease, and 16 show an increase. The high needs block is predicted to remain flat, with no increase in funding.

With all of this taken into consideration, the proposals as they currently are indicate overall good news for Croydon schools, 50:50 for Sutton and mostly decreases for Bromley.
Data regarding your individual school can be found here or you can view the tables of the biggest gainers and losers here.