Government funding: Migrant cash hint for Peterborough schools
30th January, 2012
SCHOOLS in Peterborough which have a large number of pupils with English as their second language could benefit from additional government funding.
The move comes after Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson raised the issue during parliamentary questions.
Addressing Michael Gove, the secretary of state for education, Mr Jackson asked for extra funding for schools which have experienced an influx of pupils with English as a second language.
Mr Gove responded: “Inward migration flows have had a particularly strong effect on his constituents.
“On the current changes to education funding, upon which we are consulting, we propose to include additional funding for those schools that have a significant number of students who have English as an additional language.”
The Department For Education has said that the amount of extra funding that would be made available was still being considered.
Mr Jackson said he was pleased with Mr Gove’s recognition of the issue as Peterborough has parallels with some London boroughs when it comes to the numbers of pupils who do not have English as a first language.
He said: “Peterborough is drawing more parallels to a London borough.
“For example the Beeches School has more than 95 per cent of pupils for whom English is not their first language – these are figures which are similar to London schools.
“We need to look at how London schools have tackled the issue.
“I’m pleased that Mr Gove has recognised the issue and I’m going to keep on raising it in Parliament to try and get something done.
“We’re going in the right direction but these schools affected are going to need a lot more money.
“The reality for many schools in the city is that they are not going to benefit from additional funding until 2013 when the Government takes into account the rise in pupils.
“This is an issue that is affecting a number of schools in the city now and several schools are not getting as good educational attainment results as a consequence.
“Obviously it’s harder for teachers to teach children English when they’re not speaking the language outside of school.”
This week the ET revealed that 581 school-age children arrived in Peterborough between January and October last year, with the majority of arrivals from overseas.
It is estimated that 31 per cent of primary school pupils in Peterborough speak English as a second language and 22 per cent at secondary schools.
There are currently 98 different languages spoken across the city’s schools.
For more information please visit: http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/education/government_funding_migrant_cash_hint_for_peterborough_schools_1_3431852
