| SPOTLIGHT |
The English state school sector saw a £90 million in-year financial deficit in 2022/23, from a £119 million in-year surplus the previous year, according to financial data obtained by PoliticsHome.
The data, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, covered 8,539 non-academy state schools in 93 local authorities.
The schools made an average in-year surplus of £13,963 each on their day-to-day revenue spending in 2021/22, however, this fell to an average deficit of £10,561 each in 2022/23, according to the data.
PoliticsHome revealed in its report that pupil referral units and SEND-focused special schools across England went from a £56,000 average surplus to a £19,500 average deficit, with three-quarters forecasting a deficit in 2023/24.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “The figures quoted are very provisional forecasts rather than a full and current picture of school’s finances.
“School funding is rising by over £3.9 billion this year compared to 2022-23 and nationally will reach £59.6 billion, the highest level in history, in real terms per pupil, by 2024-25.
“This additional funding is helping school leaders to continue to invest in high quality teaching and targeted support to the children who need it most – as well as help schools to manage higher costs, including staff pay awards and higher energy bills.”
The Institute for Fiscal Studies published separate research on Monday (11 December) showing that secondary schools with the most disadvantaged pupils saw spending per pupil fall by 12% in real terms between 2010 and 2021.
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, described this as “a damning indictment of the Government’s failure to invest in education since 2010”.
He added: “Persistent underfunding has led to deep and lasting effects on the education sector. Class sizes are at record levels - primary class sizes are the highest in Europe and secondary class sizes are the highest since records began more than 40 years ago.
“[…] It is clear that an increase in school funding of £1.7bn in 2024-25 is needed in order to protect provision in schools and colleges, and to finally address the recruitment and retention crisis.”
Lottie Winson
