Schools Devolved Formula Capital
Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) is an amount allocated each year to primary and secondary schools to be spent by them on their priorities in respect of buildings, ICT and other capital need.
It may be combined with capital funding from other sources, pooled with DFC allocated to other schools, and saved up to fund larger projects.
Priorities are set at school level, but should have regard to planned expenditure in a local authority's asset management plan, or equivalent Voluntary aided plan.
Allocations are announced at the beginning of each three year spending review period, and vary according to the number of pupils in a school. In 2007-08, a typical primary school receives approximately £34,250, and a typical secondary school £113,000. The figures for years two and three in each spending review period are indicative. They are firmed up when details of pupil numbers are received.
Schools which are, or have been, subject to refurbishment or new build, generally receive a reduced amount of DFC, or nil DFC.
Allocations for 2006-07 and 2007-08 were confirmed and updated in December 2005 and the latest information for 2006-07 and 2007-08 (excluding DFC) is available to download here. Guidance and information about these allocations is also to downlaod here.
Indicative DFC allocations for 2007-08 and the final figures are available here, taking into account pupil numbers, also the Building Schools for the Future, PFI and Academies programmes. As we conducted a major exercise with local authorities to confirm the 2007-08 allocations, we do not propose to make any further adjustment.
Detailed guidance on DFC allocations and on how it must be spent, including time limits, is avilable to download please click here
Devolved Formula capital (DFC) gives maintained schools direct funding to invest in their buildings and equipment. It is initially allocated to local education authorities (LEAs) who are then required to allocate the funding directly to schools using a simple national formula. In general, this funding should be invested in priorities agreed locally and identified in the local Asset Management Plan. It can be rolled forward to enable larger projects to be planned. In April 2007, DfES published research into how schools use this funding, which showed strong support from schools for its contribution to raising standards.
