UK schools bracing for in-year deficits this year with bleak outlook ahead
by Educate Magazine September 13, 2023 · All News / Education News
Almost half of primary schools and special schools and two-fifths of secondary schools in England had or were expecting an in-year deficit in 2022/23, according to a new report.
Schools are only expecting the situation to worsen next year with just under half of mainstream schools (50% primary and 42% secondary) and two-fifths of special schools expecting both to have an in-year deficit and needing to make cuts to provision in 2023/24.
Results from the National Foundation for Educational Research’s (NFER) report, ‘Cost-of-living crisis: Impact on schools – School Provision’, also suggest more than half of primary schools are asking parents for extra funds to accommodate cost-of-living pressures.
In the study, conducted in collaboration with ASK Research and funded by the Nuffield Foundation, NFER asked more than 2,500 senior leaders and teachers in mainstream schools, and more than 100 in special schools, a series of questions to understand the impacts of cost-of-living pressures on schools.
Almost half of school leaders reported that the cuts their schools are making due to the cost-of-living pressures are having a negative impact on teaching and learning in their setting. Furthermore, the cuts which schools are making in response to cost-of-living pressures are also affecting provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), with widespread concern among senior leaders of all phases about their ability to fully meet the needs of their pupils.
NFER Research Director and report co-author, Jenna Julius, said: “In the short-term, schools need greater financial support to help meet the additional direct expenses associated with the increased cost-of-living such as energy and school meal bills.
“For example, almost three-tenths (28%) of special schools report cutting their core specialist school offer, which includes the provision of hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and independence activities.”
Nuffield Foundation Programme Head, Ruth Maisey said: “We know that there are lingering effects of the pandemic including a wider disadvantage gap, increased absence from school, and poorer mental health and wellbeing.
“Schools are only able to tackle these issues if they have sufficient funds. While failure to adequately support young people risks their issues becoming entrenched and stores up considerable problems for future society.”
Responding to the survey, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “This report is a stark reminder that while the overall rate of inflation has eased, prices are still rising and schools and society more broadly are continuing to face severe challenges as a result.
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