News

Funding crisis: The number of schools running deficits doubles in just one year

School finance
Yet more evidence of the funding crisis facing schools emerged this week with figures suggesting that the number of schools currently in deficit has doubled in the past year.

The annual funding study conducted by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) shows that 18 per cent of schools are currently in deficit. This compares to eight per cent a year ago.

Furthermore, 71 per cent of schools say they are only able to balance their budgets by making cuts or biting into their reserves.

The most common cost-saving measure was cutting back on investment in equipment (85 per cent).

The study, which is based on schools’ budgets for 2016/17, involved more than 1,100 schools and the NAHT said the findings showed that many were “close to breaking point”.

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