School funding
The legal framework governing schools finance is set down in legislation, the latest draft being The Schools and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2018 [PDF 281KB].
The scheme for financing Blackpool schools
The overriding aim of the scheme is to secure excellence in an education service in which pupils have equal opportunity to learn, grow and lead a healthy life to the greatest extent possible.
The statutory framework within which the scheme operates is defined in Sections 45-53 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.
The authority sets the framework in which governing bodies will exercise their delegated financial powers.
The scheme sets out the financial relationship between the authority and the maintained schools which it funds, detailing the requirements relating to financial management and other issues which are binding on both the authority and the schools.
Scheme for financing Blackpool schools
Section 251
Section 251 is part of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009. Local authorities submit their planned/ actual expenditure on education and children’s social care.
Local authorities submit their statements to the Secretary of State for Education.
The Department for Education (DfE) publishes this data and uses it to produce:
- Statistics
- Benchmarking tables
- Answer parliamentary questions
- Respond data requests
Comparing Section 251 data is useful for schools forums and others. It supports their discussions about agreeing budget levels and the use of funds.
The latest Section 251 information.