Commenting as the Prime Minister looks set to stand down, following a wave of resignations including two Secretaries of State for Education in 24 hours, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“It is vital that the government’s internal turmoil does not get in the way of addressing the urgent real-world challenges facing education and the country, not least of which is the current cost-of-living crisis and its impact on schools, staff, children and families.

“Over recent months political scandal and the nature of headline politics has replaced the activity of governing the nation. The impact on schools and children has been profoundly damaging.

“Schools are short of funds, the demands upon school leaders and their teams increasingly stretch  beyond the core mission of education and are unstainable. We simply do not have enough resources, teachers, leaders or children’s support services to ensure the next generation will be equipped to deal with future this country faces unless the next administration brings urgent support to education.

“We have a moment now to really grasp the nettle, reverse growing child poverty, fund schools properly, invest in children and family services, reverse the recruitment and recruitment crises of teachers and school leaders. If the next PM and cabinet fail to address the needs of young people they will not be the generation lost to covid but the generation lost to political ineptitude.

“As always school leaders stand ready to provide their advice and expertise to the government of the day. If education is to be successful those school leaders will need more than warm words about the place of education they will need tangible support.”