Half of senior leaders say school trips and outings have had to be cut – poll

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It is deeply concerning that increasing numbers of schools report having to use their pupil premium funding to plug budget gaps Carl Cullinane, Sutton Trust Those surveyed by the National Foundation for Educational Research – which were 439 senior leaders and 989 classroom teachers – were asked whether their school had to cut back on certain areas for financial reasons. The poll, carried out in March this year, also found 41% of senior leaders said money from the pupil premium – extra funding to support the most disadvantaged youngsters – is being used to plug gaps elsewhere in their school’s budget, compared to 33% in last year’s survey. “The Government must urgently review the funding given to schools, particularly those in the most deprived areas, in light of these trends.” The education sector needs more money and needs it now Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The evidence could not be clearer that the school funding crisis is severe and worsening. “Instead, ministers have proposed that schools should fund below-inflation pay rises from already stretched, inflation-hit budgets, a delusional approach which will strengthen the perception that teaching is no longer an attractive profession and make it harder for leaders to offer children a first-rate education.” A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Next year, school funding will be at its highest level in history – in real terms – as measured by the IFS, following the additional £2bn of investment for both 2023/24 and 2024/25 in the autumn statement.