Over 2,000 head teachers march on Downing Street over “unsustainable” cuts to school budgets

In an unusual move head teachers have protested against cuts from school budgets.

They large group gathered in Parliament Square before converging on Downing Street, where a delegation delivered a letter to Phillip Hammond over what they say are “unsustainable” funding cuts.

Figures from the Institute for Fiscal Studies which show that funding per pupil fell by 8% between 2010 and 2018.

Compared to last year, England’s schools have 137,000 more pupils but 5,400 fewer teachers, and 2,800 fewer teaching assistants, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT), called the march an “organic experience of school-leader frustration and anger”.

He continued: “It’s a fantastic turnout and although it’s supported by the unions, it’s not arranged by them.”

In response to the march, a Department for Education spokesperson said: “There is more money going into schools than ever before, rising to a record £43.5 billion by 2020 – 50% more in real terms per pupil than in 2000.

“Every school attracts more funding per pupil through the National Funding Formula, high needs funding has risen to over £6bn this year, and the 3.5% pay rise we announced for classroom teachers on the main pay range is backed by £508m government funding.

“We know that we are asking schools to do more, which is why we are helping them to reduce the £10bn spent each year on non-staffing costs, providing government-backed deals for things like printers and energy suppliers that are helping to save millions of pounds.”