National funding formula: an overview

Get an overview of what you need to know about the national funding formula (NFF), so you’re clear on how your school is funded.

Last reviewed on 5 May 2023
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Contents
  1. What is the NFF and who is it for? 
  2. What you need to know
  3. What can I do if I disagree with our funding allocation?
  4. Be assured the data is correct

Please note: the factors that make up the national funding formula (NFF) haven't changed for 2023-24. 

What is the NFF and who is it for? 

The NFF is the series of building blocks that the Department for Education (DfE) uses to work out state-funded mainstream schools' core funding allocations. (If you're in a maintained special school, learn how your school is funded in section 3 of our other article).

Each summer, the DfE publishes a ‘notional budget’ at school level, but the end amount your school receives might be different (as we explain below). 

The factors that make up the schools NFF is summarised in the diagram below (source: the DfE's policy paper on the national funding formula for schools and high needs: 2023 to 2024, page 19)

This figure illustrates the factors that will be taken into account when calculating dedicated schools grant (DSG) funding allocations through the NFF. It is not to