Local authorities (LAs) receive high needs funding on an historical basis that may not reflect actual current need. This means that they have hugely different levels of resource with which to meet complex needs.

We would broadly agree with the proposed principles for the funding system. The ASCL Blueprint for a Self-Improving System calls for an education system in which all children and young people achieve, and in which all educational establishments are funded sufficiently , sustainably and equitably. Our persuasive argument will always be for a formula distribution that enables equality of opportunity for every child and young person, however we would urge the government to be mindful that the call for equity must never detract from the need for sufficiency.

Read the full response here.