HEADTEACHERS in West Devon have given a cautious welcome to a government announcement of an extra £14-billion for education in schools – but are calling for more detail on whether it is genuinely new money.

The extra funding is being allocated over three years for primary and secondary schools across the country, phased in from April next year.

It means that from 2022/23 the annual budget for education will be £7.1-billion above where it is now.

The package includes £700-million extra for children with special educational needs in the year from April next year.

It guarantees that schools receive a minimum of £3,750 for each primary school pupil in the year from April 2020 and at least £4,000 per primary pupil and a minimum of £5,000 per secondary pupil the following year (2021/22).

Okehampton College principal Derrick Brett said: ‘We very much welcome any additional funding to the education system as it is well known that the years of austerity have affected school finances greatly. However, at this time where Devon has been particularly disadvantaged by the lack of a national fair funding policy, we will need to see how the funding will be allocated and distributed.

‘It is also a little disappointing that despite our immediate need for support, this funding will not become available until next year. In the meantime we are very pleased to have started the new school year and to have welcomed all our new students and are optimistic about the school year to come.’

His sentiments were shared by Tavistock College principal Sarah Jones, who said: ‘We are delighted to see that the Government has again prioritised education and that Devon, that has been underfunded for so long, is going to receive a substantial amount of money. I look forward, though, to clarification on a number of issues and I would be very disappointed if I find that the Government is giving with one hand and taking with another by not funding teachers’ pay awards and pension contributions. If those are to be funded from this money it would absorb all of that extra money.’

Devon County Council, which as the local education authority has responsibility for distributing the cash, has calculated that Devon is likely receive an extra £11.7-million next year and £9.5-million in 2021/22.

In addition there could be an extra £8.6-million to help support children with special needs next year.

But education bosses at the council are still waiting to see the details behind the announcement.

This includes clarification about how an increase of £6,000 in teachers’ starting salaries from £24,000 to £30,000 from 2022/23 will be funded.

County council leader John Hart said: ‘We have been campaigning with headteachers, governors and parents for fairer funding for Devon’s schools and the promise to “level up” under-funded areas is one I very much welcome.

‘It’s also encouraging to see Mr Javid announcing a three-year funding cycle for education compared with the single year for other services. That gives heads and governors the ability to plan with some certainty.

The boost for special needs education is also very welcome because we are facing intense pressure. But the amount Devon is likely to receive is about half of the current overspend on this vital service in this year alone.’

The news has also been cautiously welcomed as a ‘huge step in the right direction’ by Devon’s cabinet member for schools and deputy leader James McInnes, who is also chairman of the national campaign group f40 which represents the worst funded education authorities in the country.

Cllr McInnes, who represents Hatherleigh and Chagford, said: ‘We are delighted the Government has recognised schools have been underfunded for too long and is injecting much-needed cash into education.

‘The extra funding for special educational needs is also extremely welcome as schools and local authorities across the country have struggled to meet the growing need and have found it simply impossible to make their budgets stretch.

‘This is a huge step in the right direction that will go some way to repairing the damage caused by underfunding in recent years. This is an important beginning of government accepting that education funding needs a long-term plan.’

The funding pledge has been welcomed by West Devon MPs, Conservatives Geoffrey Cox (Torridge and West Devon) and Mel Stride (Central Devon).

‘This is a major boost for education funding in our country and the fact that the Government has pledged to meet the £4.5-billion requirement for teachers’ pensions from outside the education budget will mean that every penny of this additional £14-billion will go straight into schools,’ said Mr Stride.