Ian Sollom and Impington Village College Deliver Letter to Downing Street Calling on the Prime Minister to Reverse Cuts to IB Funding

Ian Sollom MP, alongside Jo Sale, Principal of Impington Village College (IVC), and other campaigners, delivered a letter to No10 Downing Street today, urging the Prime Minister to reverse cuts which will affect funding for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in 20 state schools across the country.  

The Government recently announced plans to cut the Large Programme Uplift from 2026-2027, which funds the IB programme. The letter has been signed by all 20 headteachers as well as the International Baccalaureate Schools and Colleges Association (IBSCA), and calls on the Government to reinstate the funding for the IB programme to all the state schools.  

The IB Diploma, which is studied for two years by sixth form pupils, sees them choose six subjects to study from a wide range of options, and the programme also develops critical thinking and social responsibility skills. 

Impington Village College is determined to continue offering the IB programme but the loss of £2,400 per student as a result of the cuts, will require difficult decisions about staffing, class sizes, and the breadth of subjects it can offer. 

Ian said: “I recently visited IVC and I was so impressed when I met the pupils and listened to their passion for their studies and how much thought they had put into choosing to take the IB Diploma.  

“I have already written to the Education Secretary, with support from 38 other Lib Dem MPs, and today we are supporting the IB schools and continuing to press the Government to reverse the funding decision and ensure that any state school wishing to deliver the IB diploma has the funding to do so. 

“I know IVC will do everything possible to maintain its excellent provision, but it shouldn’t have to. State schools offering world-class qualifications deserve proper support. The breadth and quality of the IB diploma should not be compromised, nor should it only be available to those who can afford private schools.” 

Jo Sale, Principal of Impington Village College, said: “There is no question in my mind that Impington will continue to offer the IB DP (and the Career-related Programme and the Middle Years Programme!) despite the funding cut.  

“IB is who we are. Having to do everything on a shoestring can be dispiriting at times but staying focussed on the IB mission, education for a better world, and the sheer injustice of an IB education only being available to those who can pay, will keep us going.”