Rural Schools

Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Pickering and Lord Nash

Thursday 28th April 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

We actively discuss housing with DCLG in relation to making sure that there are enough places available for schools in anticipation of housing developments and Section 106 agreements, for example. We are listening to councillors. Many councils recognise that, with many schools becoming academies, they no longer have the ability to support those schools. Many councils recognise, as do most people in the education system, that the best way to support schools is through local school-to-school support.

[Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con)]

My Lords, will my noble friend the Minister give the House an assurance that the 40 least-funded education authorities will have per capita funding addressed so that rural areas will benefit greatly from the new funding formula?

Schools: Funding

Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Pickering and Lord Nash

Tuesday 22nd March 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

The answer to the first point is that the contribution will be massive efficiency savings as schools collaborating in groups will be able to hire much higher calibre financial people and make purchasing savings. We are not getting rid of parent governors; we are merely saying that governors do not have to be parents. Schools can have as many parent governors as they need. We will also ensure that schools engage with parents on a much more consistent and effective basis than having the odd parent governor if they want it.

[Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con)]

My Lords, will my noble friend confirm that the historic underfunding of counties such as North Yorkshire will be rectified by having regard to rural depravity, isolation and rurality factors?

[Lord Nash]

We are intent on rectifying these issues, but I think that the noble Baroness will have to wait for more detail in the second stage of the consultation.