Are larger primary schools missing out? (From Ledbury Reporter)

Are larger primary schools missing out?

12:09pm Wednesday 20th February 2008

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THE THREAT of closure facing several small primaries in the Ledbury area has raised concerns that larger schools are not getting their fair slice of the financial pie.

Bigger schools like Ledbury Primary, with bigger class sizes, are getting less money per child that rural schools with smaller class sizes.

This issue was raised by several concerned parents at a recent Community Forum Meeting in Ledbury's Burgage Hall, and the major of Ledbury, Coun. Kay Swinburne, has promised to investigate the matter further.

Coun. Swinburne, a governor at Ledbury Primary said: "This is an inequality issue. It turns out there is more funding per head at rural schools than elsewhere.

"There was a concern at the meeting that larger schools should not be penalised."

But she also stressed that no one at the meeting wanted to see small rural schools close.

Recent statistics from Herefordshire Council show that Eastnor receives £3,052 per pupil each year and Bosbury gets £2,883.

Both schools were highlighted for merger under plans now withdrawn by Herefordshire Council, so that further consultation can take place.

Each child at Ledbury Primary School, where some classes have 30 pupils, gets £2,507 per year.

That is almost 20% less than pupils at Eastnor Primary, where classes sizes are much smaller.

In the Herefordshire League Tables for eleven year olds, published in December, Eastnor displayed the best marks.

No other primary in the county, out of 60 primary schools listed, achieved a perfect hat trick with a 100 per cent rating in English, maths and science, for children gaining level four or above in those subjects.

Ledbury's percentage marks were 83 per cent for maths, 74 per cent for mathematics and 91 per cent for science.

Carla Preston, spokesman for Herefordshire Council, said that primaries such as Eastnor get a small schools' supplement from the authority of £100 a year per pupil.

She said: "This is because when you have a class of 15 pupils it costs to the same to run as a class with 25 pupils, but the class with 25 pupils gets funding for 25 pupils."

Smaller schools can also apply for a council grant of up to £8000 a year towards maintenance and other costs.

This is because no matter how small a school is, staff such as cleaners and caretakers still have to be employed.

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