From April 2011 funding for specialism will no longer take the form of a dedicated grant, so that all schools can decide how to develop their specialisms in the light of the total resources available to them. Schools will not be required to designate or redesignate. Funding is not being removed from schools: money currently paid as specialist schools grant will continue to be routed to schools through the Dedicated Schools Grant.
The Department will not be funding the current range of High Performing Specialist Schools options after March 2011. Again, the funding will remain with the frontline. Our best schools will continue to be able to take on system leadership roles and support others to improve.
