Local MP Rebecca Harris has welcomed the news that more children across Castle Point will be able to access a world-class education thanks to a major funding boost.

The Conservative Government has confirmed schools in Castle Point will receive on average 5.5% more funding per pupil next year as part of the recent multi-billion investment in primary and secondary education. This is higher than the national average of 4.16%.

Rebecca has welcomed this new funding, saying the commitment that every secondary school pupil will receive a minimum of £5,000 next year and every primary school pupil will receive a minimum of £4,000 by 2021-22 would reassure parents of the Government’s promise to deliver the best for their children.

This funding follows the Prime Minister’s announcement in August that the budget for schools and high needs would be increased by a total of over £14 billion over three years, rising to £52.2 billion by 2022-23. Schools and local authorities will today find out how the first part of that investment - £2.6 billion - will be allocated for the coming year.

The extra money, available from April, will ensure that per-pupil funding for all schools can rise at least in line with inflation and will deliver promised gains in full for areas which have been historically under-funded

Commenting, Rebecca said:

'Over the last year I've met with primary and secondary headteachers about their school budgets, which is why I’m glad to see Castle Point schools will be receiving more funding than the national average, giving pupils and teachers the resources they need to succeed within local education whilst developing the existing standards within our schools.'