Wiltshire Council calls for fairer education funding from the government
Current funding formulas leave Wiltshire schools with less than London boroughs
Calls are being made by Wiltshire Council for fairer education funding amid a growing disparity - with the authority saying it wants to give every child an opportunity to achieve to the highest level.
Wiltshire Council is among 40 local authorities asking the government to revisit and reform the UK's education funding formula, which is leaving counties like Wiltshire significantly underfunded.
Councillor John Hubbard, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, SEND Education, and Skills, explained that Wiltshire receives 36.1% less per capita in gross dedicated schools grants compared to the highest-funded local authority, Hackney.
The disparity is even greater for special educational needs funding, with Wiltshire receiving 70% less than Camden.
Cllr Hubbard acknowledged differences in costs between urban areas such as London and rural locations like Wiltshire but highlighted the burden of transport costs for rural counties.
He said Wiltshire spends around £30 million annually on transporting students across its large rural geography.
“We’re calling on the government to ensure education funding is fair so Wiltshire children have the best opportunities to achieve," Cllr Hubbard said.
The authority is also asking local MPs to support its call for change.
Impact on Wiltshire schools
Cllr Hubbard praised Wiltshire’s schools, teachers, and education professionals for their outstanding work despite funding challenges but acknowledged the limitations imposed by reduced resources.
“We're lucky to have some exceptional schools in Wiltshire, and our educators do a fantastic job," he said. "However, we hold them back by not providing all the tools they need to ensure every child achieves their best potential."
While high-achieving students may not feel the impact as acutely, Cllr Hubbard emphasised that funding shortfalls prevent schools from offering the breadth of support every child deserves.
Revisiting funding formulas
Cllr Hubbard called for action to update funding formulas that date back decades and no longer reflect current student numbers or local needs.
“The formulas used are tens of years old and based on outdated school numbers,” he said. “We need to look at present-day requirements. While there may be variations in funding to address specific community needs, the current disparities are unjustifiable.”
He acknowledged the challenges the government faces in revising the system, which may involve reducing funding for better-funded boroughs and counties, but stressed the urgency of addressing the inequalities in the current approach.
A fair future for Wiltshire children
Cllr Hubbard underlined the importance of ensuring children in Wiltshire have the same opportunities as those in other parts of the country.
"It’s about giving every child the chance to succeed, no matter where they live," he said. "We can’t allow funding to remain based on historical data that fails to meet the needs of our communities today."
Wiltshire Council continues to press the government for reforms to provide a fairer and more equitable funding system that supports all children across the UK equally.
We've contacted the Department for Education and Wiltshire's MP's for comment.