A trust which operates two Nottingham schools is concerned over rising energy bills for the next academic term. Rising energy costs, teacher salary rises and limited reserves are causing schools to worry about pupils returning in September, and there have been discussions over a three day school week to reduce costs.
The Creative Education Trust has almost 20 schools across England, including The Bulwell Academy and Ellis Guilford School in Nottingham. Marc Jordan, CEO of the Trust, said: "School budgeting is a tricky business at the best of times because key resource announcements from Government come so late in the planning cycle.
"This year, long after budget planning had been completed, schools have had to deal with huge energy cost increases, a teacher pay settlement way above initial indications and an assumption-busting settlement proposed for non-teaching staff. While these pay increases may be deserved, the fact that Government says it will not provide any extra funding has driven a coach and horses through everyone’s plans.
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"Those schools and school groups that have managed their finances prudently will have to dip deep into their reserves if these unforeseen increases are not funded by Government." Mr Jordan expressed concerns that, as reserves can only be spent once, they are already being forced to review planned programmes which aimed to invest in its buildings and reduce the impact from the Covid years on pupils.
He warns that they may have to implement a recruitment freeze. Mr Jordan added: "Others less fortunate are facing significant deficits and are already planning for teacher redundancies. I have even heard mutterings of a three-day week to save on energy costs. Ministers should wake up to the chilling effect that these cost increases will have on education in this country."
Schools are not the only ones concerned about the impact of the current cost of living crisis on education. Labour and Co-operative MP for Nottingham North, Alex Norris, said: "The government’s failure to grasp the crises of inflation and energy costs, set against a decade of underfunding public services has meant key institutions are struggling.
"I know our local schools will be doing everything to make sure our children get the education we need and as local MPs we will be fighting for proper funding." MP for Nottingham South, Lilian Greenwood, added: "Families and schools alike are suffering from the cost of living crisis that means higher prices on bills, at tills, and at the pump.
"Labour has already set out an ambitious but fully costed plan to support people through the winter ahead. It’s crucial that the government gets a grip on the issue and delivers decisive action now to tackle the cost of living crisis before winter sets in.”
Under the Education School Day and School Year 1999 regulations for England, maintained schools must meet for at least 380 sessions or 190 days during any school year, which equates to five days a week over a 38 week school year. Whilst academies are responsible for their own school day and week, academies are expected to deliver a minimum 32.5 hour week, as set out in the Schools White Paper.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Regular school attendance is vital for children’s education, development, and wellbeing, which is why we expect all schools to be open morning and afternoon, five days a week. Approximately 70 per cent of schools already deliver a 32.5-hour week - equivalent to 8.45am to 3.15pm Monday to Friday- within existing budgets and schools should be planning their budgets in line with this minimum expectation.
“To support schools, budgets will rise by £7 billion by over the next three years, with £4 billion this year alone - a 7% cash terms per pupil increase compared with 2021-22. The IFS has recently confirmed means increased costs will be broadly affordable for schools in the next year.”
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