News

Underfunded Welsh schools

David Reynolds, Professor of Education at Plymouth University, has conducted research, commissioned by TES Cymru, which concludes that the Welsh Assembly Government has underfunded schools, but that there has been a dramatic increase in spending on culture and nation-building. 

It appears that there is a widening gap between England and Wales that amounts to £500 per pupil for an average 950-pupil secondary school. Since 2002-03, Professor Reynolds says there has been 6.4 per cent less spent on education compared to the rest of the UK taken as an average.

Professor Reynolds concludes that children’s lives are being blighted and there is low teacher morale as a result.  He also says that local education authorities are holding back more money from schools. 

A spokesman for the Welsh Assembly Government urged David Reynolds to look at the excellent work of schools, local authorities and government that was improving the lives of learners across Wales

Nick Griffin, Voice’s Director for Wales, said: "Voice would wish to applaud many of the educational initiatives of the Welsh Assembly Government, particularly the Foundation Phase and the abolition of SATs.

"We would also like to celebrate the achievements of all those employed in education, and the success of many pupils and students. 

"However, if Wales is to be a genuine ‘Learning Country’, all sectors of education must be adequately funded and clearly many of our members who are school leaders do not feel this is happening."

Analysis of Public Spending by Country and Region (HM Treasury) (pdf) 

TES Cymru article "Funded for failure", 14 November 2008

Educational Finance and the Welsh Assembly Government 2008: Funded to Fail How The Welsh Assembly Cheats Our Children, November 2008 (TES Cymru: research in full)

nickgriffin@voicetheunion.org.uk

pressoffice@voicetheunion.org.uk

14 November 2008