Headteachers in England are being forced to take on caretaking duties, including unblocking toilets and clearing dead animals from playgrounds, after budget cuts left schools unable to afford dedicated staff, the Guardian has learned.
Amanda Richards, headteacher of Sytchampton primary in Worcestershire, said her school of 88 pupils 'literally can't afford' a permanent caretaker. She described having to use a plunger on blocked toilets and remove dead rats, moles and voles from the playing field. 'When you are up to your elbows in the toilets, cleaning up poo, you're thinking: this isn't what I signed up for,' she said.
A survey of 400 school leaders by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) found one in six schools could no longer afford a caretaker, and nearly half of those that still employed one had cut their hours. As a result, 75% of school leaders said they 'frequently' carried out tasks normally done by a caretaker.
NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: 'School leaders are already working intolerably long hours, and there is no way we should be expecting them to take on other roles. These tasks need doing by skilled caretakers and site staff.'
A Department for Education spokesperson said funding had increased to £60.7bn this year, the highest ever in real terms per pupil. However, caretakers have become rare in small primary schools, where budget pressures are worsened by falling pupil numbers.
Lesley Roberts, head of Streatley Church of England primary in west Berkshire, said she relied on volunteers and staff for gardening. 'It used to be quite normal for most schools to have caretakers, but nowadays it seems only secondary schools can afford them,' she said.
