Responding to today's Budget, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at
school leaders' union NAHT, said:
“Last year, the Prime Minister promised that the UK “would rival
the best education systems in the world” but yet again, children
and schools have been largely ignored in the Budget.
“Our children deserve better - today’s spending announcements
mean that too many will continue to be taught in decrepit
classrooms for the foreseeable future. School leaders will be
concerned to hear the chancellor talking about the need for
greater efficiencies in education, and many will be left
wondering where they will be found when budgets have already been
cut to the bone.
“While the investment in new special schools is welcome, it does
not begin to address the huge shortages of specialist staff,
capacity and funding for pupils with SEND, either in schools or
the wider social care and health services which are already under
so much strain.
“Until the fall in teachers’ and leaders’ pay is addressed, and
working conditions are improved, the spiralling crisis in teacher
recruitment and retention is only set to worsen.
“When the election comes – we will be uncompromising in our ask
to all parties to provide funding for our children – to repair
the school estate, provide essential services for vulnerable
children and recruit and retain enough teachers.”
