The ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis on schools
05 June 2024
Since 2021, unprecedented increases in energy costs, rapid increases in food costs and substantial increases in the cost of housing via higher rent/mortgage costs have driven a dramatic rise in the cost of living across England.
Despite inflation having fallen from its peak in winter 2022, costs remain high compared to incomes and cost pressures are expected to persist for years to come. These cost-of-living pressures have had a profound impact on pupils and their families, alongside directly impacting on the expenditures of schools.
Drawing on an online survey of over 1200 teachers and senior leaders in mainstream schools in March 2024, this research builds on our previous research into the impact of the cost of living and explores how cost-of-living pressures, alongside wider financial pressures, are impacting schools a year on. This research aims to establish:
- Has the level of need among pupils changed since last year?
- What support are schools providing to pupils and how has this changed over the last year?
- What is the ongoing impact of cost pressures, including cost of living increases, on schools’ provision and financial positions?
Key Findings
- Primary teachers report that the share of pupils
coming into schools hungry, without adequate clothing or equipment for lessons continues to increase compared to last year. - Around a fifth of primary (19 per cent) and secondary (17 per cent) teachers report spending their own money on meeting pupils’ pastoral or welfare needs (such as food or clothing) this year.
- Around a quarter estimated having spent over £100 of their own money overall so far this academic year (between September 2023 and March 2024).
- Almost all school senior leaders (93 per cent of primary and 87 per cent of secondary leaders) report making cuts in at least one area in response to cost pressures.
- Almost half (46 per cent) of primary senior leaders and a third (33 per cent) of secondary senior leaders report making cuts to planned spending on building improvements and new buildings in response to current cost pressures.
- Senior leaders report that their schools’ financial positions continue to deteriorate, and leaders are anticipating needing to make additional cuts to provision in the coming financial year.