£42m Boost for Britain’s Struggling Schools
The Government is splashing out up to £42 million to pump new life into 24 education cold spots across the UK. Areas like Nottingham, Liverpool, and Portsmouth, known for high levels of disadvantaged pupils and poor school performance, will get a much-needed boost.
Targeting Disadvantage: Literacy, Numeracy, and Attendance
The Local Needs Fund will back schools with proven programmes to improve literacy, numeracy, and attendance. This is part of a wider drive to deliver on last year’s Schools White Paper promises, giving children in tough areas a real chance to succeed.
The Priority Education Investment Areas (PEIAs) initiative aims to keep great teachers local, tackle attendance problems, and lift struggling schools by joining them to strong multi-academy trusts (MATs).
Academies Lead the Way in Raising Standards
Thanks to these reforms, 88% of schools are now rated good or outstanding, up from just 68% in 2010. Academies are at the heart of this success, especially in disadvantaged regions where poor results have long been the norm.
The Government also published the Academies Regulatory and Commissioning Review, promising less red tape for trusts, more transparency in school placements, and stronger support to help schools keep improving.
Government and Experts Back The Plan
Schools Systems Minister Baroness Barran, visiting Nottingham today, said:
“The best multi academy trusts deliver top education and results for disadvantaged pupils and those with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities. They support teachers, create career opportunities, and reinvest resources to benefit pupils.”
“This package will scale up the impact of high-quality trusts and level up opportunities for all.”
“We’ve worked closely with our External Advisory Group and stakeholders to tailor this plan. To every pupil I’ve met, who shared their hopes – this is for you.”
Leora Cruddas CBE, chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, added:
“We welcome the focus on simple, proportionate regulation and transparent commissioning. The review recognises no one-size-fits-all model – supporting diversity among trusts including faith, special, and alternative provision schools.”
“The government must protect freedoms that have made trusts successful and work with Ofsted to build smarter accountability systems.”
Industry leaders echoed the praise:
- Sir Martyn Oliver, Outwood Grange Academies Trust chief: “A timely, welcome review providing much-needed clarity on trust regulation.”
- Steve Bell, Painsley Catholic Academy CEO: “Confident this will bring a simpler, clearer regulatory system while protecting academy freedoms.”
- Mark Vickers MBE, Olive Academies CEO: “Fully support the focus on maximising trusts’ impact, especially for special educational needs pupils.”
New Trust Development Statements and Funding Rounds
For the first time, Trust Development Statements reveal each Education Investment Area’s priorities for transforming local standards. Backed by multi-year Trust Capacity Funding of £86 million and the Trust Establishment and Growth Fund (TEG), academies can expand and improve faster.
Funding applications open from 3 April. Meanwhile, the Government has launched a MAT CEO development framework to train top leaders who can steer large trusts to success and ensure all pupils get a top-notch education.
