West Sussex County Council has unanimously backed a motion calling for a review of the way schools are funded nationally, after headteachers warned that current arrangements are putting pressure on pupils, staff and the quality of education across the county.
Cross-party concern over funding shortfall
The motion, brought to Full Council by Councillor Kirsten Sutton on 17 July, attracted support from councillors of all parties. Members said the introduction of the National Funding Formula (NFF) in 2018 has not removed persistent funding shortfalls for schools in West Sussex.
Council papers note that, despite the NFF's intentions, West Sussex remains among the lowest-funded local authorities in England for both primary and secondary school funding. Officers and members expressed particular alarm that current funding levels fail to reflect local labour markets and housing costs, factors which affect schools’ ability to recruit and retain teachers and support staff.
What the council will ask government to do
- Write to the Secretary of State for Education requesting an urgent review of the National Funding Formula.
- Press for annual, per-pupil funding increases that match inflation.
- Seek full government funding for national pay awards for school staff.
- Invite the Minister for School Standards to visit West Sussex to see the local impact of current funding arrangements.
The council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning will lead on the correspondence with ministers. The motion also highlighted risks that funding inequalities can restrict schools’ capacity to invest in staffing, infrastructure, special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision and wider educational support.
Local implications
Headteachers who raised concerns ahead of the vote warned that financial pressures were affecting classroom provision and could limit opportunities for pupils. Councillors stressed that without changes, schools may struggle to maintain current services or expand support for pupils with additional needs.
| Item | Position |
|---|---|
| National Funding Formula | Introduced 2018; county still low-funded |
| Local funding priority | Call for inflation-linked per-pupil increases |
| Staff pay awards | Council seeks full government funding |
For families and school staff, the immediate effect is likely to be continued pressure on school budgets while the council seeks a national response. Any change to funding arrangements will require government agreement and, potentially, a wider review of how the NFF accounts for regional cost differences.
Full Council's decision marks a clear local political consensus that the county's schools need a stronger financial footing. The next step is formal correspondence with the Department for Education and any follow-up visits or meetings that ministers may agree to schedule.
Further updates will follow as ministers respond and the council sets out any additional measures to support schools in the meantime.
