Schools across Worcestershire are set for budget increases as part of reforms which will offer a better funding deal for primary and secondary schools. More money is going into schools than ever before with the core schools budget nationally increasing to £42.4 billion this year and £43.5 billion next year. Independent analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies confirms that real terms per pupil funding in 2020 will be 50 per cent higher than it was in 2000. West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin is continuing her campaign to press for a fairer funding deal across the county and has this week written to the Education Secretary Damian Hinds on behalf of local head teachers who have raised the issue with her and local parents. Funding for the average primary school class of 27 pupils is £132,000 - £8,000 higher than in 2008 – and the same 27 pupils will be funded by on average £171,000 when they move to secondary school. Next year, schools like those in Worcestershire will attract up to six per cent more funding to address some of the historical imbalances compared to schools in Birmingham. Harriett commented: “Parents rightly want the very best for their children’s education and our local schools are doing a great job for them. School funding is an important part of education provision and funding rates are better than ever and the upward trend will continue. “It is undeniable that schools in Worcestershire have had a worse deal than similar schools in the West Midlands and I support all measures introduced by the Department of Education to fix this imbalance and make the formula fairer. “Nine out of ten of our local schools are rated either good or outstanding and I am glad that our amazing teachers will be getting a further 3.5 per cent pay increase – there can be no great schools without great teachers and we must ensure teaching remains an attractive and fulfilling profession. “I am grateful to our local head teachers and parents for getting in touch recently on this matter and I will share these response of the Education Secretary.”