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ITEM LC3 - ANNEX 1

LEARNING & CULTURE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – 10 SEPTEMBER 2002

LEARNING & CULTURE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – 16 JULY 2002

Minutes of the Meeting commencing at 10.00 am and finishing at 3.25 pm

Learning & Culture Scrutiny Committee - 16 July 2002

Summary of Key Responses by Sarah Rusby, Learning & Skills Council

1. How does the new LSC funding formula work for LEA 6th forms?

   Current Status

   The LSC has now implemented the transitional funding system for 2002/03 in partnership with DfES, LEA’s and schools. Allocations were issued to LEA’s and schools on 7^th March 2002.

   Schools and LEA’s were asked to verify the data on which their allocations were based and given the opportunity to comment on the allocation, several schools had their allocations amended. (Not sure about in Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire!)

   Funding Cycle

   The LSC funding cycle for all 16+ provision runs from 1^st August to 31^st July. As the LSC responsibility began in April 2002 the first cycle will run over a 16 month period to July 2003.

   Allocation Process

   The allocation process was based on the DfES 2001 Pupil count and produced 3 figures for each school.

   RTG – Real Terms Guarantee Figure

   Formula Funding Figure

   The LSC’s actual allocation to the 6^th form

   RTG

   To ensure that schools that maintained their student number would not lose money under new arrangements, the Gov gave school a guarantee that the overall funding would not reduce in real terms.

   The LSC has been rigorous in its role to implement the RTG.

   The DfES calculated a baseline funding level for each school according to the amount of funding allocated in 2001/02.

   The baseline RTG was uplifted for inflation by 3% for each of the years 2000-01 and 2001-02. Overall uplift of 6.09% over 2 years.

   The RTG guaranteed a school would maintain its funding provided its pupil numbers were maintained. The LSC made adjustments to take into account student numbers changes between the baseline and Sept 2001.

   Adjustments made at £2,600 per pupil (set by DfES )

   The RTG figure will be adjusted in Sept 2002 in line with significant number changes.

   The LEA may reduce the RTG figure to counter the effect of double-counted non-AWPU elements.

   LSC Funding Formula

   A common funding formula is key to the LSC’s strategy of developing a coherent funding arrangement across the 16+ education and training sectors, and to support developments in the 14-19 agenda.

   The key principle is that funding should follow the learner. The formula therefore differentiates between the different programmes that individual learners follow.

   There are 5 elements to the formula.

   a. National Base Rate – reflecting teacher contact and basic costs of delivery.

   AS/A/A2 £733.88

   GCSE £532.18

   GNVQ/AVCE £1,230.73 (3 units), £2,304.20 (6 units)

   b. Programme Weighting – reflecting that some programmes are more costly to deliver.

   3 weightings apply.

   A 1.00 (no additional percentage)

   B 1.12 (12% additional weighting) e.g. Catering, Drama, Physics

   C 1.30 (30% additional weighting) e.g. Engineering

   c. Achievement –

   The National Rates for school 6^th forms include 10% for achievement

   The LSC has factored in to each schools allocation a standard achievement rate of 84%.

   In line with DfES requirements ALL available funding was used to calculate the level of national rates: no contingency was held back for funding higher achievement levels. Schools’ allocations therefore benefit from higher national rates than would have been the case had a contingency been taken from the overall funding available. (84% of a big pot rather that 100% of a smaller one).

   The LSC does not intend to reconcile on achievement for individual schools for 2003/04 but will do so in future years.

   d. Disadvantage

   The disadvantage uplift for schools supports the policy intention of engaging disadvantaged learners and recognised the schools increased costs in doing so.

   In 2002/03 the LSC is using FSM – Free Schools Meals as the proxy for this element of the formula. The FSM is based on the whole schools eligibility.

   In future it is the intention to use postcode information in this calculation. (Learners postcodes, not the school)

   c. Area Costs – to reflect the significant additional costs of provision in London and certain fringe areas.

   Funding is uplifted according to area.

   Part of the Bucks area has a 1.03 (13%) uplift.

2. How does the LSC see itself helping us deliver on the key issues in our Education Development Plan 2002-07? In particular, priority 3 (Raising standards 14-19), priority 4 (Tackling underachievement and reducing disadvantage), and priority 7 (Supply, recruitment and retention of staff)

   Support high quality learning provision and extend and develop new provision that is responsive to the needs of learners and employers for both academic and vocational routes.

   Work in partnership with key partners (Employment Service, ConneXions, Learning Partnerships, LEA’s, voluntary and community organisations and others.)

   1. Raising Standards 14-19

      The LSC’s Participation Strategy aims to put the individual at the heart of provision for 14+ learning.

      Recognise and value the work already undertaken by our providers and continue to support them to deliver high quality provision.

      Meeting a local priority to: Raise young peoples qualification attainment, reduce levels of unemployment, raise the volume of training, understand the local economy.

   2. Tackling underachievement and reducing disadvantage

      The LSC aims to enable more young people and adults to benefit from learning which is appropriate to them and which enhances their quality of life and which is relevant to their employment.

      The LSC aims to acts as a champion for equality of access, with particular emphasis on those communities and groups which are disengaged from learning. To minimise the exclusion from the labour market.

      Work to support emerging government policy which aims to dilute the voc/acad divide and to attempt to develop a more coherent approach to 14-19 provision.

      Ensuring that provision matches the needs of the labour market.

      Extend Basic Skills including IT information.

   3. Supply recruitment and retention of staff

3. Some councillors see a conflict between our EDP priority 2 (Raising standards at key stage 3) and the top slicing of our education budget to provide funding for LEA schools with 6th forms. What is the LSC's view on this?

   The amount passed to the LEA from the LSC was the same amount deducted from their total education allocation. There should therefore have been no difference in the amount available under LSC funding.

4. What structures are in place for the LSC to consult with LEA schools?

The LSC is establishing a Memorandum of Understanding with the three local authorities and Headteacher representatives to clarify ways of working and consultation mechanisms. The LSC meets with Headteacher and LEA groupings on a regular basis.

5. What is the relationship between the LSC and our adult education provision?

   The LSC funds part of the Adult Learning Plan developed by the Local Authority. The Plan reflects the LSC and local delivery priorities.

6. Given the large sums of public money disbursed by the LSC, do they think their meetings should be held in public?

The LSC is a national organisation therefore the issue over whether meetings should be held in public should be addressed to the National LSC

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