Dorset Studio School: Finance

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Ministers meet with a wide range of parliamentary colleagues to discuss schools in their constituencies. Should a specific meeting be required, the hon. Member for West Dorset may contact the Secretary of State’s office.

The schools national funding formula (NFF) allocates funding primarily based on pupil numbers and pupil characteristics, including additional funding for deprived pupils and pupils with low prior attainment. Schools also receive funding which does not change with pupil numbers, such as lump sum contributions to fixed costs.

The NFF is used to calculate funding allocations at local authority level. Local authorities’ own funding formulae determine the actual allocations for individual schools and academies, including studio schools, in their area.

Dorset Studio School is attracting nearly £2.9 million in the 2025/26 financial year, or £7,950 per pupil, through the schools NFF. However, as schools' final allocations are determined by local authority funding formulae and based on updated pupil numbers, the final funding allocation may differ from this. The academy general allocation guide for the 2025/26 academic year provides further guidance on understanding studio school funding allocations for the next academic year, and can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academies-general-annual-grant-allocation-guides-2025-to-2026.

With regards to capital funding, ensuring schools and colleges have the resources and buildings they need is a key part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every young person the best start in life. The feasibility and project costs for Dorset Studio School are currently being reviewed and the relevant approvals will then be sought.