Schools forced to make sacrifices following funding cuts, say leaders

Design and technology, languages and arts subjects are being ditched as schools struggle to deal with budget pressures, says the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL).

In a new report, based on a poll of more than 1,000 members, the union warned that pressure to cut costs is having an impact on all areas of school life.

Interim general secretary Malcolm Trobe said school leaders are being forced to make “impossible choices”.

The Government has argued that school funding is at its highest ever level.

More than seven in 10 of those at schools which teach 14 to 16-year-olds said GCSE or vocational courses have had to be axed in the past 12 months, while 79 per cent of those at schools which teach sixth-formers said courses have been cut.

The most common GCSE subject to be dropped was design and technology, followed by performing arts courses, music, German, art and design options, drama, Spanish and French. Around 45 per cent said other subjects had been cut. At A-level, the most common course to be scrapped was again design and technology, followed by music and German.

More than eight in 10 of those surveyed said they have had to increase class sizes. On average, school leaders – including heads, deputies and other senior staff –said their largest class size is 33, while around one in eight said it was 35 students or more.

One school leader told the union: “Through no fault of their own, students will have restricted subject choices, in larger class sizes with less pastoral support, whilst still being expected to perform at the highest of standards –nonsense!”

The vast majority – 95 per cent – said their school has cut back on support services, including equipment such as books, special needs support, IT and mental health support. More than two-thirds said they have had to scrap activities such as trips, visits and clubs.

Mr Trobe said: “The survey shows the impossible choices school leaders are having to make. Reduced budgets means fewer staff and, with fewer staff, class sizes have to increase.”

He added: “Schools cannot sustain the level of support they provide to pupils, or the range of subject options and enrichment activities.

“Unless the Government invests more in the education system, there will be a significant impact on the lives and life chances of young people.”

ASCL blamed the funding crisis on rising costs – such as employer National Insurance and pension contributions – without additional funding from the Government to pay for them.

They said that the situation will be made worse for many schools by the introduction of the apprenticeship levy next month.

A recent report by the National Audit Office has warned that schools will have to save £3bn by 2019/20.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “We are going to end the historic postcode lottery in school funding and, under the proposed national schools funding formula, more than half of England’s schools will receive a cash boost.

“We recognise that schools are facing cost pressures, which is why we will continue to provide support to help them use their funding in cost-effective ways, including improving the way they buy goods and services.”