I run a Yorkshire primary school - here's how we are dealing with funding challenges: Nicholas Sykes

Chapel Allerton Primary School, is a two-form entry school with a nursery and has, over the last 15 years been 95 per cent full maximising its budget – a favourable position compared to some schools. Ten years ago, our budget supported a teaching team of 22 full time equivalent teachers and now we operate with 17.5.

Additional teachers provided high quality support and intervention but we can no longer afford them. In our reception class for example we would deploy three teachers, a ratio of 1:20, plus two general teaching assistants then any required special needs assistants. Now, we can only afford to operate with two teachers; reducing the opportunity for personalised support and meaning the teachers have to spread their time more thinly than they once did.

It makes effectively supporting children when they are outdoors and learning through play more challenging and it is remarkable that high academic standards have been maintained.

Five years ago due to budget pressures the leadership tier of our staffing structure was reduced by one-third, resulting in the remaining leaders absorbing multiple responsibilities which inevitably leads to overload, diminishes school’s ability to progress improvement projects and forces more senior staff to deal with day-to-day managerial matters rather than being strategic.

In addition, other roles such as administration, pastoral support, teaching assistants, lunchtime staff and facilities team all have to operate below ideal numbers. It is a truism that schools survive on goodwill and the ability of staff to multi-task. This is the reality in 2026.

Schools have been forced to source funding beyond their government allocation. Bid writing and fundraising is now an essential element of the role for headteachers and school business managers. Recently, my school successfully secured £2,000 from the London Marathon Foundation for playground markings while several hours have been committed in an attempt to secure more funding.

We work closely with our Parent and Staff Association (PSA) to organise extra-curricular events which both build community and raise funds for projects school alone cannot resource. Our PSA have funded year long support from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance exposing our children to expert teaching and strengthening our Physical Education offer.

A further source of financial support which remains untapped for most schools is that provided by forging relationships with local businesses. We have gained curriculum support from estate agents, gathered prizes for raffles and founded mutually beneficial projects such as treating children who achieve our top awards to lunch at local restaurants.

We have a vision focused upon 2028 which is to create a superb performance and entertainment venue for the whole community within our grand Victorian hall. 2028 will be the 150th anniversary of the opening of the school and we aim to have refloored, redecorated, added screens, the latest audio stage lighting and – what will be the cherry on the top (but a most expensive one!) tiered seating.

We are completing bids and actively looking for support with the installation of 120 tiered, retractable seats.

In summary, school funding is not sufficient to meet the needs of children or to provide an acceptable work-life balance for those employed in schools. However, with effort, enthusiasm and ingenuity schools continue to confound the odds and provide quality learning environments and experiences.

Nicholas Sykes is headteacher at Chapel Allerton Primary School.