ASCL comment on Covid funding for schools and colleges

Commenting on the additional funding to support the costs of staff absences in schools and colleges, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“While we welcome this additional funding it comes with many caveats and will not fully address the severe financial pressure on schools and colleges caused by the Covid pandemic.

“It provides only for staffing cover in the current half term, and does not take account of the fact that schools and colleges have been plugging staffing gaps since reopening in September.

“Neither does it address the enormous costs involving in implementing and managing Covid safety measures.

“We are pleased that the government has listened to our concerns, albeit that it has only partially met our request for extra financial support. We will continue to press for full reimbursement.”