The written evidence that we received raised concerns about the impact of the national funding formula. Professor Tanya Ovenden-Hope said that the formula had not delivered the expected significant increases in funding for small schools, including rural schools which have traditionally struggled to remain sustainable.8 The NASUWT (The Teachers’ Union) described the formula as “regressive”, and said that it was vital that the 17.9% of schools block funding which was allocated on the basis of pupil need did not reduce over time.9