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Funding

 
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Schools are at breaking point as funding is not keeping up with the expenditure schools face. The government’s funding commitment for schools is not adequate and equates to a real-terms cut in education spending. The situation is critical for schools, so NAHT is campaigning to:

Lobby the government to provide sufficient funding for the education of all pupils 

 

  • Support the School Cuts campaign
  • Lobby for provision of accessible and available health, social care and other therapeutic services to support pupils' educational progress and attainment
  • Lobby for sufficient funding for the High Needs block
  • Lobby for sufficient funding to support pupils with SEND in all mainstream schools
  • Lobby for more funding for early years education; including specific funding to stabilise and protect the maintained nursery school sector
  • Support the Raise the Rate campaign to ensure sufficient funding for students in sixth form / FE / KS5 education
  • Maximise the funding for pupil premium for schools through auto enrolment
  • Press the government to provide appropriate support to schools for financial planning and resource management
  • Develop a better understanding of the unique challenges facing small schools and lobby the government to ensure their long-term sustainability
  • Lobby government to introduce the hard funding formula

Lobby to ensure that schools have sufficient funds to provide a safe environment for pupils and staff

  • Press for the phased removal of asbestos from the school estate
  • Lobby the DfE to secure sufficient capital funding and restoration of the school estate where required
  • Press the government to ensure that health and safety regulations maintain the highest standard of safety within schools
  • Lobby the DfE to support members to effectively manage the school estate

Parliamentary briefing for MPs on the state of school funding

NAHT joined forces with other members of the School Cuts coalition to host a parliamentary briefing for MPs highlighting the state of school funding in England.

New research by the coalition shows that the vast majority of schools – 76% of primary schools and 94% of secondary schools – will not be able to afford their costs next year.

Almost 30 MPs took part in the event organised by the School Cuts coalition – run by NAHT, NEU, ASCL, NGA and Parentkind – at Westminster on Monday 10 March 2025, ahead of the spring statement by the chancellor on 26 March. 

They heard presentations about the financial pressures that schools will face next year based on current funding rates. Tower Hamlets head teacher and NAHT branch secretary Lorraine Flanagan provided insight into the day-to-day financial difficulties that are faced by hard-pressed schools.

NAHT’s general secretary Paul Whiteman took part in a panel session where he answered questions from MPs about the funding situation faced by English schools. 

Read our press release on the briefing.

Find out more about the School Cuts coalition, search for your school and take action.

 

First published 10 March 2025