Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson outlines school funding reforms

Bridget Phillipson unveiled proposals to redirect pupil premium funding based on household income, introduce retention payments for new headteachers and raise maternity pay for school staff. The White Paper, titled 'Every Child Achieving and Thriving', aims to halve the gap between poorer pupils and their peers.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced a package of school funding changes ahead of a White Paper publication. The proposals would shift more funding to schools serving the poorest children and change the way the pupil premium is allocated. The plans also include incentives for headteachers and an increase in maternity pay for school staff. Officials say the White Paper, called 'Every Child Achieving and Thriving', aims to halve the gap between outcomes for poorer pupils and their peers. Key details: - Pupil premium would be allocated on the basis of household income rather than free school meal eligibility, according to the announcement. - New retention incentives of up to £15,000 are proposed for newly appointed headteachers who remain in roles in areas of greatest need. - The Department for Education said maternity pay for teachers, leaders and support staff would be boosted for the first time in more than 25 years. - Officials cited long-standing gaps in attainment, noting that in 2014 around 44% of poorer pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in maths and English GCSEs compared with over 70% of pupils not receiving free school meals. - The White Paper will set out wider plans, including significant proposed changes to the provision of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which some MPs have described as "generational" and which has prompted questions among Labour members. Summary: The government presents the measures as a way to reduce the link between background and educational outcomes and to support staff recruitment and retention. Opposition parties and the Liberal Democrats have raised concerns about potential wider effects, including regional inequalities and impacts on standards. The White Paper is due to be published on Monday and is likely to prompt further parliamentary and sector discussion.