Schools at risk

 Early data from the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT)– results of a survey of its members are due later this month – shows that 50% of heads say their school will be in deficit this year, with almost all expecting to be in the red by next September, when their reserve run out.

Nine out of 10 schools will have run out of money by the next school year as the enormous burden of increased energy and salary bills takes its toll.

Headteachers and academy leaders are warning that further spending cuts will push many schools and academy trusts over the cliff, and result in most schools having to lose essential teaching and support staff. “There are no easy fixes left,” said Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT. “Schools are cut to the bone. This will mean cutting teaching hours, teaching assistants and teachers.”

The Rev Steve Chalke, whose Oasis foundation runs 52 academies in England, said: “At this burn rate, in under three years we will be bankrupt. No one is in a position to keep going for very long eating their reserves.” Chalke said electricity and gas costs for schools in his chain had rocketed from £26,000 a year to £89,000, even with the six-month energy price cap. The foundation is also having to find an extra £4.5m for the teachers’ pay rise, which was announced this summer after school budgets had been set. The rise – which at 5% for most teachers remains significantly below inflation – is seen as crucial but has left schools floundering because it came with no new funding.

Chalke said,  “Any government that neglects the welfare and education of its children had better be saving up for its future mental health and benefits bills, and investing in the justice system.”

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