NAHT calls on govt for ‘increased and sustained’ investment in teaching

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has said that schools need to see “increased and sustained” investment from the government, in response to the Sutton Trust’s survey finding that roughly half of senior leaders in secondary schools have had to cut back on teaching staff. 

According to James Bowen, assistant general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, the industry desperately needs support for core funding, the pay awards needed to recruit and retain teaching assistants and support staff, special educational needs provision and the dire state of many school buildings. 

Bowen said: “While public finances may be tight, it remains essential that children’s education and futures are prioritised, and it’s vital this is reflected in the three-year spending review in June. Schools have been forced to make repeated cuts after more than a decade of austerity under the previous government – and it is projected that funding for this financial year will not come close to keeping pace with costs.

“We are continuing to hear from school leaders who are being forced to make redundancies as a result of budget deficits, including cuts to leadership roles, teachers, and support staff.”

He added: “Leaders and teachers are passionate about delivering the best possible education for pupils, but this is becoming more and more difficult in such challenging financial circumstances and most have made all the efficiencies they can without directly harming children’s learning. We’ve heard of schools having to fundraise for basics like paper, online learning resources and school trips – this can’t be right.”