William Eichler 08 January 2025

Schools face ‘death by a thousand cuts’, union says

Schools face ‘death by a thousand cuts’, union says image
Image: Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com.

Headteachers have warned that schools and colleges will be forced to make cuts if costs continue to outstrip the growth in school funding.

In their annual report on education spending in England, the Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that mainstream school funding per pupil will grow by 2.8% in cash terms in 2025–26.

However, the think tank warns that school costs will grow by 3.6% over the same period if the pay review body follows the Government’s recommendation of a 2.8% pay award for 2025.

Responding to the IFS’ findings, Julie McCulloch, director of policy at the Association of School and College Leaders, said that if costs continue to exceed funding, then there will be cuts to pastoral support, curriculum options and classroom resources.

‘Schools and colleges have been expected to absorb relentless financial pressures over the past 15 years, and they have done an incredible job in minimising the impact on students,’ she said.

‘But we cannot go on like this. It is death by a thousand cuts. The Government must recognise the importance of improved investment in education.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Planning Support Officer

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Up to £34359 per annum
Keep our planning service running smoothly, supporting the team that shapes the future of our borough.As a Planning Support Officer, you'll play a vit England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Change Communications Lead

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
£42,839-£48,226
Having come out of government intervention after two years in 2024 Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Finance Officer - Debt Collection

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Finance Officer - Debt CollectionPermanent, Full Time£25,081 to £27,653 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Highways Project Engineer

North Yorkshire Council
£31,537 to £42,839 per annum
We hybrid work with a mixture of working from home and from our offices, however your role will take you out and about Whitby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner