Crisis Deepens in England as Teachers Support Students with Their Own Salaries
According to research conducted by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) in England, 80% of primary school teachers are spending their own money to support students who arrive at school hungry and inadequately clothed. The survey revealed that 31% of participating teachers are witnessing an increasing number of hungry children in their classrooms, while 40% reported that students are coming to school without proper uniforms or warm winter coats.
The study found that a quarter of primary school teachers spent more than £100 of their own money over the past academic year on students, with 19% specifically purchasing clothing or food. Additionally, two-thirds of primary teachers reported using their own funds to buy classroom materials for subjects such as art and science, while 42% spent their own money on learning resources for students, including stationery and revision books.
The crisis is somewhat less severe in secondary schools, where about two-thirds (62%) of teachers and senior leaders reported spending their own money to buy items for their students and schools. This is compared to 79% in primary schools. Approximately one in five secondary teachers also reported spending more than £100 this year.
Jude Hillary, co-head of UK policy and practice at NFER, commented on the findings: “Teachers are going above and beyond by using their personal funds to meet students’ individual needs.” He emphasized that this informal support comes at a time when teachers themselves are facing significant financial pressures.