Record funding levels for schools and important changes to the funding system will provide the financial foundation for key education reforms, helping schools to deliver more practical learning options, catch up classes and stretch for gifted and talented pupils, Schools Minister Jacqui Smith announced.

Announcing the school funding settlement for the next two years, Jacqui Smith also confirmed the new school funding system which will deliver a new ring-fenced Dedicated Schools Grant for local authorities, multi-year budgets for schools and streamlined specific grants.

The full press release is available from the DfES News Centre, linked below.