Summary of the formula
The formula used to calculate your core funding is:
(Student numbers x funding rate per student x retention factor x programme cost weighting + English and maths funding + disadvantage funding + large programme funding) x area cost
This is explained in section 3.2 of the 2026/27 guidance on 16-19 funding rates and formula from the DfE.
Core funding elements
Student numbers This number is lagged, which means your student numbers are based on the number of young people you had in the previous academic year. For sixth forms and most academies, this will be the number of funded students captured in your autumn census. However, if there's a material change to your provision (e.g. exceptional in-year growth), you can be removed from this lagged approach and instead your numbers will be calculated using the relevant guidance for new