NAHT raises funding concerns ahead of the Spending Review

Russell Hobby, NAHT general secretary, has written to Education Secretary Nicky Morgan asking the government to match the overall level of funding to the ‘real cost pressures in schools’.

The Head Teachers’ union claims that education is being seen as a cost rather than an investment and is calling for a fair national funding formula, which would ensure that fund go where they are needed most.

Hobby also called for a period of stability to help manage costs as well as improve performance, children eligible for the Pupil Premium to be registered automatically and further investment in school business managers.

Hobby wrote: "As you will know, we have recently launched our Breaking Point report looking at funding.

"It found that nearly two-thirds of school leaders are making 'significant' cuts or are dipping into reserves to stave off deficits, with four in five reporting that budget cuts would have a negative impact on standards.

"Flat cash education spending at a time of rising costs - employer costs for National Insurance, an increase in teachers' pensions to name just two - shows that the money coming into schools is not keeping up with the costs they face."

He added: "For too long, education has been seen as a cost - in fact, education is an investment, in both children and society as a whole.

"We would urge you, in conversations with Chancellor George Osborne, to call for progressive funding arrangements for education. It's time that funding reflects the true realities on the ground.

A spokesman for the Department for Education said: "We are protecting the schools budget, which will rise as pupil numbers increase.

"This government is committed to making sure schools are funded fairly so all pupils have access to a good education - a key part of our core mission to raise standards across the country and make sure every child reaches their full potential.

"We have made significant progress towards fairer funding for schools, through an additional £390m allocated to 69 of the least fairly funded areas in the country - the biggest step toward fairer schools funding in 10 years."

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