Other Bradford schools have hoarded millions of pounds (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Other Bradford schools have hoarded millions of pounds

11:05am Friday 8th January 2010 in

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The Bradford Council-run school with the biggest debt is Immanuel College, Thackley, new figures have revealed.

The school is nearly £600,000 in the red and has spent or allocated ten per cent more than it had budgeted for.

By contrast, other schools across the district have collectively hoarded almost £19 million away in their bank accounts – money ministers say should have been spent on children’s education.

Figures released yesterday show 24 secondary schools have collectively failed to spend £6.7 million and all 158 primary schools across the area failed to spend their total budgets, holding back a combined £12.3 million as of the end of 2008/09.

Many schools argue that left over surplus is often already allocated for forthcoming projects. The figures, from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, show that of the combined £19m surplus, £2.43m has been allocated.

The DCSF rules allow secondary schools to save five per cent of their annual cash handout from their local education authority.

Primary schools are permitted to save up to eight per cent.

Local authorities have powers to claw back the excessive surpluses where those surpluses are uncommitted.

Across the Bradford district there are nine secondaries above the threshold and 28 primaries. If the Council claimed back the excess cash from the schools they would lose a combined £2.97 million.

Bradford Council’s executive member with responsibility for education, Councillor Michael Kelly, said: “When money is meant to go to the school to be spent to enhance children’s education – if that is not being used – we want to take it back and then it is distributed through the Schools’ Forum. Money that is not being used is unproductive money “The process is clear and transparent. Schools know what surpluses they are allowed to have in the bank and if they are excessive, and there is no agreement that the money is being allocated for a future project, then we start the process of clawing that back.”

Nationally, the amount of surplus has fallen for the first time since 2002. Latest figures for 2008/09 show a £118 million reduction on the amount of cash hoarded compared with last year.

Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said that despite the reduction, balances were still too high and schools and local authorities must ensure excessive balances were used to improve standards for all pupils.

He said: “Last year we made it clear that we expect schools and local authorities to work to reduce the level of balances by the end of 2010-11.

“If we do not see a substantial reduction of total revenue balances, and in particular the excessive balances held by individual schools, the Government will consider further action from 2011-12 to bring the total down to ensure the funding is being spent on improving outcomes for children and young people.”

Schools with highest surpluses

Heaton Primary School - percentage of balance of income 22.1%; amount of surplus £793,968 (£725,000 allocated).

Girlington Primary School - 22.4%; £525,042.

Feversham College - 16.1%; £591,087.

Westbourne Primary School - 17.4%; £332,774.

Lower Fields Primary School - 5.1%; £266,835.

Margaret McMillan Primary School - 11.1%; £209,124.

Haworth Primary School - 10.6%; £108,232 (£39,000 allocated).

Cullingworth Village Primary School - 11.8%; £101,069.

Eastburn Junior and Infant School - 10.7%; £86,214.

Lees Primary School - 9.9%; £69,628.

Schools in deficit

Immanuel CofE Community College - overspend/allocation £588,112; % of overspend (-10).

Wyke Manor School - £328,231; (-8.4).

Queensbury School - £65,582; (-1.1).