school leaders survey 2015 | Page 3
Foreword
It is not hugely surprising that the extreme pressure on
the system is reflected in the findings of this survey.
The biggest concern is clearly funding, with budgetary
pressures set to result in staffing cuts over the next
12 months in more than half of the schools surveyed.
School leaders do everything in their power to minimise
the impact on their pupils, but fewer staff inevitably
means cutting courses and increasing class sizes.
The funding system is complex but the problem is
simple. Schools face rising costs without any additional
money to meet them. Those in the worst-funded areas,
under our wildly inequitable system, are suffering the
most.
We have been campaigning for more than 20 years
for a fairer school funding formula to end the current
postcode lottery which results in some areas receiving
more than £2,000 less per pupil than others and we
hope the Government will act over this long-running
issue. In addition, overall funding needs to be sufficient,
and the current shortfall, particularly in post-16
provision where funding levels are woefully inadequate,
is having a significant and detrimental impact in our
classrooms.
Education is an investment in the future of young
people and the economy. We are failing to put enough
money into that investment and without urgent action
we will pay a long-term price.
Brian Lightman
ASCL General Secretary
Our school leaders survey with Browne Jacobson comes at a
critical point, with schools facing severe funding pressures
at the same time as an escalating recruitment crisis and an
unprecedented plethora of curriculum and assessment change.
Given these circumstances, it is a wonder that ASCL members
found the time to complete this survey, so we are particularly
grateful that so many have done so and our sincere thanks to them
all.
About ASCL
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) is a leading professional body representing more than 18,000
school, college and system leaders across the UK. It's members work in more than 90 per cent of secondary schools
and colleges of all types, and are responsible for the education of more than four million young people. ASCL works
to shape national education policy, provide advice and support to members and deliver first-class professional
development across the sector. To find out more visit www.ascl.org.uk or ring 0116 299 1122.