ASCL responds to National Audit Office report on financial sustainability of schools

Commenting on a National Audit Office (NAO) report on the financial sustainability of schools in England, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“Schools have worked very hard to manage their finances under extreme pressure because of the government’s woeful underfunding of the education system. This has necessitated making cuts to their provision, and in an increasing number of cases deficits have been unavoidable.

“Since 2020, the government has improved funding to schools, which we very much welcome. However, we are not convinced this will be enough to reverse the damage that has been done, and the financial situation remains extremely challenging.

“The Covid pandemic has heaped more pressure on the sector because of the government’s abject failure to fully support schools and colleges with additional costs incurred such as supply cover for staff absence and the implementation of a host of safety measures.

“It is of paramount importance that the government treats education as an investment rather than a cost and that it improves the level of funding for schools, colleges and young people.”