Responding to an Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) report on tough choices facing next government on school spending, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“This research shows in the starkest possible terms how schools have been sidelined for years when it comes to national priorities.

“A failure to invest enough in schools, including staff, pupils and buildings, piles pressure on school leaders who are struggling to recruit and retain enough teachers, provide the support children with special education needs (SEND) deserve, or even complete basic maintenance like repairing boilers and leaky roofs.

“The reality is this means children learning in bigger classes, being taught by non-subject experts, learning in buildings which are not fit for purpose, and lacking specialist help when they have SEND.

“It would be hugely short-sighted for any incoming government to use falling pupil numbers as a reason to further cut spending, and instead we urge all political parties to restore education as a national priority. That means investing much more to tackle the crises facing our schools and ensuring they can offer all children the best possible learning environment without compromise or constraint.”