England Faces Deepening School Funding Crisis Amid Declining Student Numbers
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned that the government will face tough choices regarding school funding. Highlighting issues such as stagnating cash flow in schools, cuts to teacher salaries, and increasing Special Education Needs (SEND) bills, the IFS noted that politicians seeing declining student numbers as a way to save may have to close some schools.
With student numbers expected to drop by about 10% by 2032 in England, already falling primary enrollments have brought school closures and mergers, especially in London, to the agenda. School funding expert Luke Sibieta stated that the government might cut school spending in response to falling student numbers, a move that could necessitate reducing teacher numbers and closing schools.
The lack of growth in spending per student over the past 14 years has been described by the IFS as “unprecedented in recent history.” The IFS anticipates that next year, due to school costs rising faster than inflation, school funding could return to the 2010 levels in real terms. The IFS also highlighted the increasing demand for special education needs and disability support, noting that the number of students requiring special education needs has increased by over 60% since 2015.
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