Funding for Milton Keynes schools has risen by nine per cent this year

Data shows schools in Milton Keynes will have an average budget of £5,482 per pupil in the 2024-25 financial year - an increase of 9% from £5,049 the previous year.

Budgets vary widely across regions, with schools in inner London receiving the most per child - £7,065, while those in the South East will only have an average budget of £5,489.

The total budget for schools across England has risen by a tenth since the previous year, reaching £63 billion.

However, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said that when adjusted for inflation, the increase amounted to just 1.9% per pupil, describing the situation as "desperate."

The ASCL highlighted a particular pressure on special educational needs funding, with the total budget allocated to such support across the country falling by 8% this year to £539 million.

In Milton Keynes, £2.3 million is allocated to special education needs support - the same as the previous year.

The funding covers services for visual, hearing and physical impairment, specific learning difficulties such as speech, language and communication, as well as severe learning difficulties and autism.

In total, Milton Keynes schools will receive a budget of £300.1 million for this year.

Of this, £13.3 million will go towards funding for high needs places, which provide educational support to children who cannot attend mainstream schools due to exclusion, illness, or other reasons.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders union the NAHT said: "Schools should be at the front of the queue when it comes to investment, which is vital to the success of the Government's mission to break down barriers to opportunity and ensure children from all backgrounds in every part of the country can thrive."

A Department for Education spokesperson said: "This Government is putting education back at the heart of national life, and is mission-driven to break down the barriers to opportunity for every child, at every stage.

"Departmental expenditure limits for 2025-2026 are to be set alongside the Budget on 30 October - and that will include setting the overall level of funding for schools next year."