Warrington schools are mostly funded from the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). The Department for Education issues this grant, and it covers all education, not just schools.

The funding is from April to March, the same as a financial year.

The total grant is split into four:

• Schools block. To fund individual mainsteam school budgets at primary and secondary levels.
• Early years block. Supports pre-school education (including the private, voluntary and independent sectors). This funding includes the funded places for eligible families 9 months plus and the universal offer for all children from aged 3.
• High heeds block. Supports special schools and all non-mainstream educational functions, including placements in independent provision. This includes top-ups to schools/academies for pupils with additional requirements
• Central services block. A small number of general services provided by the local authority.

The schools block funding for each authority is based on a national formula calculation but also has a geographical multiplier applied. This means that the average level of funding for each learner is different from authority to authority. The funding for maintained schools comes through the local authority, while the academies receive that funding directly. Both use the same basis of calculation.

The revised grant allocation for Warrington in 2025/26 is £142.37 million, plus £121.17 million for academy budgets.

Warrington is one of the lowest funded local authorities.

The f40 campaign

Warrington is concerned about the differences in funding across the country and is a member of the f40 group of local authorities. This campaigns for a fairer national distribution of resources.

Learn more about the f40 campaign for fairer funding in education.

Individual school budgets

Individual school budgets are calculated using the same factors and values as the National Funding Formula. The formula applies to all primary and secondary schools, whether they're maintained or have academy status.

Pupil places in special schools and other alternative provisions are funded at a national level of £10,000. Each child then has an individually agreed top-up, depending on the specific need and setting.

In addition to the DSG funding, schools receive pupil premium. The present value of this is:

• £1,515 for each primary age child entitled to a free school meal
• £1,075 for each secondary age child entitled to a free school meal
• £350 for each child in a service family
• £2,630 for each child in the care of the local authority, or previously looked after.