Publication Source

Councils have seized millions of pounds in extra funding designated for special schools, with “shameful” plans afoot to let them evade passing on more rises next year.

The move means special schools are being starved of extra cash that instead is being passed on to their mainstream counterparts.

Last year’s spending review promised £1.6 billion extra for schools this year to cover increased cost pressures. Of this £1.2 billion was passed to mainstream schools directly under the Schools Supplementary Grant (SSG).

But the £325 million funding increase allocated for special and alternative provision schools goes to councils as part of their high-needs budget. These schools were told to “discuss” potential increases with their local authority.

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