However, we think that there is more to do in relation to a comprehensive education package that addresses the multiple impacts of Covid-19 on children and families, particularly where disadvantage gaps are opening up further.
Early years
While the investment in family hubs is most welcome, the spending review does not address the issue rising costs of delivering early years places. We believe that there should be a focus on improving the offer to disadvantaged two-year-olds. Through the pandemic we have seen a substantial drop in take-up amongst two-year-olds eligible for 15 free hours. Latest figures show just 62% of families are now taking up the offer. This is partly due to families choosing to make less use of childcare during the pandemic but also because low rates make it economically unviable to provide places in poorer areas, where top-up funding from parents cannot be used to cross-subsidise. 232 nurseries closed in the last year, a 35% increase from the year before.
It is well established that early years is a critical phase of a child’s life. During this period, the brain develops at an unprecedented rate with 80% of brain development taking place by age three and 85% of our language estimated to be in place by the age of five. It has, therefore, never been more important for two-year-olds to have access to high quality childcare given the lack of opportunities for socialisation during the pandemic. The best way to increase take up is by funding providers in the most disadvantaged areas properly so that they can offer more places and engage in community outreach work to support more families.
Schools
We welcome the additional £1bn of funding announced today as a ‘recovery premium.’ We also welcome the additional investment in core schools funding, and in particular, the additional £1.6bn in 2022-23.
However, there are already cost pressures that schools and trusts will need to meet from this additional funding, including supporting the delivery of a £30,000 starting salary for all new teachers.
We recommended a three-year "catch-up premium” based on persistent disadvantage that would help those parts of the country most affected by the pandemic. The areas hit hardest by Covid would have been the biggest beneficiaries of this extra funding. We will continue to make the case for this investment.
We are pleased to see £2.6 billion over the SR21 period for school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities. As the SEND review progresses, we will make the case for further investment in revenue funding for pupils with special education needs and disabilities.
Post-16
The investment in extending the taught hours in post-16 is positive. However, we continue to believe that a three-year Post-16 Premium is necessary. The students that are in the low attainment bracket will be the ones who are mostly likely to have been negatively affected by school closures, and most at risk of dropout.
Funding our education system is an investment in the future wellbeing of our country. We will work with government and the sector to operationalise the funding that has been announced through the comprehensive spending review. But CST will continue to make the case to Her Majesty’s Treasury that targeted funding which follows the child, pupil or student is essential for our long-term sustainability as a nation.
