Schools 'can take £680m cut without harming standards'

Published on Wednesday 7 October 2009 22:00

UP TO £680 million could be cut from Scotland's £4 billion annual schools budget without harming pupils' exam results, a study has suggested.

The study reveals that English pupils have overtaken Scots when it comes to academic achievement, even though much more money is spent on Scottish pupils.

In Scotland, schools run by some councils, which spend relatively little on education, outperform those in areas where more is spent.

The study by the Centre for Public Policy for the Regions found Scotland spent 4,638 per primary pupil and 6,326 per secondary pupil. That compared with 3,580 per English primary school pupil and 4,620 per secondary pupil.

Academic attainment had "flatlined" in Scottish schools since devolution. In contrast, England had experienced rising standards.

In England, the proportion of pupils achieving an A to C grade in GCSE exams has risen from 47.9 per cent in 1998-99 to 62 per cent in 2006-7.

The proportion of Scottish pupils achieving the equivalent passes at Standard Grade remained at 58 per cent.

Stirling had a "very low" spend per pupil at both primary (3,786) and secondary (5,569) levels, but good attainment results (59 per cent got five As at Standard Grade).

In contrast, Aberdeen City had a high spend per pupil at both school levels (5,019 per primary pupil and 6,793 per secondary pupil), but below-average results.

Fifty-four per cent of Aberdeen pupils got five As in their Standard Grades, compared with a Scottish average of 57.5 per cent.

The study concluded that if spend per pupil was the same as in England, which is about 20 per cent lower than in Scotland, then 680 million would be saved.

John McLaren, an author of the study, said: "There are potentially large savings to be made. Regardless of that, are we happy that all this money has not changed attainment levels?"

The study suggested improving teacher quality, rather than driving down class sizes, was the best way to raise standards.

Labour's education spokeswoman, Rhona Brankin, said: "What this report fails to properly take into account is that some children cost more than others to educate effectively. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds may struggle with their education without more help, support and resources.

"Labour have made it clear that we don't believe in cutting front-line education budgets. The SNP, on the other hand, have already cut 1,000 teachers and their school building programme is barely out of the starting blocks."

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "

What this report does confirm is that this government inherited a position of lower investment and lower attainment than we enjoy today.

"Exam results in recent years have shown steady improvement, as reflected by this year's record pass rates at both Higher and Advanced Higher."