Heads are warning that the majority of schools will have to lay off staff or slash hours in a desperate bid to stay afloat. A survey of more than 11,000 school leaders in England by the NAHT union has laid bare the brutal cuts schools are grappling with amid rising costs and funding shortfalls.
Two-thirds (66%) of heads warn they will have to sack teaching assistants or reduce their hours, while half (50%) are looking at reducing the number of teachers or teaching hours. NAHT chief Paul Whiteman warned that cuts to staffing would be 'catastrophic', resulting in bigger classes and reduced support for vulnerable pupils.
The survey found that more than 9 in 10 schools will not be able to balance the books without drastic cuts, with just 5% of heads saying they can pay their costs next academic year. Over half (54%) of schools said they would go into deficit this year unless they make further cuts.
Schools face a £2 billion funding shortfall by 2024/5, according to recent research by the Education Policy Institute. This equates to £40,000 for the average primary school and £210,000 for the average secondary school. Services such as counselling, additional support for children with special educational needs, and Covid catch-up tutoring are likely to be in the firing line.
Mr Whiteman said: 'After a decade of austerity, schools have made all the easy savings already. The only things left to cut are things that will have a real immediate impact on children – and especially those who are already the most disadvantaged and vulnerable.' Town hall leaders described the findings as 'very worrying'.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: 'We understand the challenges facing schools driven by high inflation. To support them at this time, we are providing schools with £53.8 billion this year in core funding, including a cash increase of £4 billion for this financial year. All schools will benefit from the Energy Bill Relief Scheme.'
