It's time for more funding and less blame

All education establishments, from early years to further and higher education, are suffering the consequences of years of austerity measures.

Reports of larger classes, dilapidated buildings, diminishing SEND support and universities on the brink of bankruptcy are all too common. It’s unacceptable that education professionals should continue to struggle.

Financial experts provided by the Department for Education (DfE) to support schools with funding pressures have reportedly found £35 million of savings across 70 schools – good news, but it won’t solve the funding crisis.

The wisdom of the claim from school system minister Lord Agnew that schools are wasting colossal sums of money is questionable – especially when school leaders and governors are working flat-out to try to balance their budgets, while maintaining, and improving, the quality of education they provide, and supporting their teachers and support staff to deliver that education.