Proposed Common Strategic Policy 2018–22 (P.110/2018): third amendment (P.110/2018 Amd.(3))

STATES OF JERSEY

PROPOSED COMMON STRATEGIC POLICY 2018–22 (P.110/2018): THIRD AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 19th November 2018 by Deputy R.J. Ward of St. Helier

STATES GREFFE

2018  P.110 Amd.(3)

PROPOSED COMMON STRATEGIC POLICY 2018–22 (P.110/2018): THIRD AMENDMENT

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After the words "Appendix to this Proposition" insert the words ", except that on page 9 of  the  Appendix  to  the  Proposed  Common  Strategic  Policy  2018–22  (Section 5: Strategic priorities), in the section headed "What we will achieve", at the end of the list of bullet-points, to insert a new bullet-point worded as follows: "Attend schools that have guaranteed minimum 15% headroom funding so that there are well-resourced classrooms that can support learning".".

DEPUTY R.J. WARD OF ST. HELIER

Note:  After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

in accordance with Article 18(2)(e) of the States of Jersey Law 2005, to approve the statement of the Common Strategic Policy of the Council of Ministers as set out in the Appendix to this Proposition, except that on page 9 of the Appendix to the Proposed Common Strategic Policy 2018–22 (Section 5: Strategic priorities), in the section headed "What we will achieve", at the end of the list of bullet-points, to insert a new bullet-point worded as follows: "Attend schools that have guaranteed minimum 15% headroom funding so that there are well-resourced classrooms that can support learning".

REPORT

This proposed amendment addresses the key priority of Putting Children First'.

Headroom funding is the percentage of a school's budget left after the costs of staffing and premises have been covered.

For 11 – 16 States' schools in Jersey, this is an average of 5.12% for the 4 schools (ref. WQ.167/2018). This is a total figure of £961,341 for the total resourcing of four 11–16 schools (ref. WQ.167/2018).

This is around £300 per student per year to resource the full range of KS3 and 4 subjects. All books, materials, chemicals, glassware, art materials, design technology materials, IT provision, PE equipment, photocopying, and much more. It must fund any curriculum change and the associated materials. It must fund any curriculum development.

Headroom funding at Jersey College for Girls for 2018 was 7.03%; headroom funding at Victoria College for 2018 was 4.99%;  the total figure for the 2 schools being £1,259,635. This is complicated, as it is difficult to separate post-16 funding from school totals. It is also a percentage of a larger budget, due to larger AWPU figures from parental contributions (ref WQ.181/2018).

Figures for primary schools are not available, but details of funding can be found in WQ.160/2018, average funding per pupil being £2,622 from Year 3 – 6. This figure includes staffing costs, and is therefore not a measure  of headroom. However, it indicates the same, if not a greater, issue of low headroom fund availability in primary schools.

This amendment sets a minimum headroom of 15% and requires the following key actions –

1. Schools must be allowed to staff their schools as they see fit, according to timetable requirements and future demographic changes. Increased resource funding should not be at the expense of suitable staffing levels.
2. The cost of premises must be a separate figure.
3. Once staffing and premises costs are complete, this amendment quantifies a level of remaining funding that can be used to resource schools appropriately to support teaching and learning.

Very low levels of headroom funding available for schools' day-to-day resources has been an ongoing issue in schools, and has been an obstacle to children's learning for too long.

Low levels of headroom funding mean that schools are constantly making decisions over  which  essential  resource  to  prioritise.  These  can  include  the  very  basic requirements such as textbooks, equipment for practical and STEM subjects, resources for other physical subjects, and the development of IT provision. It stifles initiatives and becomes an obstacle to long-term achievement.

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P.110/2018 Amd.(3)

This addition to the strategic policy will give consistency and certainty to the funding of schools; thus enabling significant improvements to the essential provisions needed to enable teachers to be more effective, and for children to learn without the chronic lack of resources they experience.

Schools have become too reliant on PTAs, collections, charity days, and charges to parents for basic funding. Schools should not be reliant upon having a benefactor to enable them to resource the essentials of education.

By setting a minimum level of headroom funding, we enable schools to plan for the future. Long-term certainty over levels of funding is particularly useful as school terms (September to July) straddle the unique nature of the tax and funding year in Jersey (January to December).

Schools faced real term cuts of £2.8 million over the course of the current MTFP when increases in student numbers were taken into account which used the "growth" funding allocated. Therefore, we have had a continued downward pressure of resource funding.

This amendment will change the dynamic of school funding. Separating staffing costs from budgets available to schools for the day-to-day resources needed for student classrooms will protect schools from constant fluctuations in income that damage long- term projects.

This is a tangible and measurable example of putting children first and supports our pledge to children.

Financial implications

Consistent  funding  at  the  levels  suggested  are  difficult  to  cost,  given  changing demographics. An estimate of the cost will range between £1–£3 million, depending on staffing needs and student numbers.

Taking 2018 headroom funding for four 11 – 16 schools, and effectively trebling this, would add £1.85 million to cost. This would impact positively on around 1,600 students immediately.

Manpower implications

There are no additional posts necessary, as funding is for resources.