Schools facing increasing costs of covid-19
Schools have faced huge costs throughout the first lockdown and in order to ensure a safe return for students in September. Despite this the Department for Education will not commit to supporting schools financially with these costs.
School funding has seen a fall in spending per pupil of 9% in real terms between 2009-10 and 2019-20. Last year’s announced funding increases of £7.1 billion for schools in England in 2022-23 was set to reverse the cuts of the past decade, however this would put per pupil spending at the same level as 2010. The unforeseen impact of covid-19 will significantly affect this meaning tighter school budgets and money diverted from other areas which could have otherwise improved curriculum offerings, extra curricular activities and pupil outcomes and wellbeing.
In a recent survey conducted by Schools North East, two-thirds of respondents had additional expenditure relating to adaptations to the physical environment in the lockdown period. Almost 50% of respondents expect this expenditure to continue in the 20/21 academic year. Adjustments made have included:
Signs, floor markings one way system in place
Barriers, screens
Hand sanitiser dispensers
Changing the school into separate zones, adapting classrooms, more desks
More significantly more than 85% of respondents had additional expenditure relating to PPE and clothing in the lockdown period with more than 90% predicting this would continue into the 20/21 academic year.
Equally over almost 95% had additional expenditure relating to cleaning products and cleaning staff in the lockdown period, with almost the same proportion expecting this to continue this academic year. This spending encompassed:
More regular cleaning
Increased use of cleaning products
Additional sanitary bins
Agency cleaning staff
Fogging machines
Almost 40% had additional staffing costs (admin; teaching; teaching support) in the lockdown period. This included, cover for shielding staff and staff waiting for results/self-isolating, increase in TAs for bubble cover, lunchtime supervisors, staggered days, extra admin work, and staff working during holidays for vulnerable pupils and children of key workers. More than 70% expected this to continue or increase this academic year.
Other substantial costs incurred have included transport, ICT provision and laptops, with schools providing materials for home learning amidst difficulty in securing sufficient support from the DfE.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: ‘The pandemic has put huge additional pressures on staff and schools, and it is important that this is recognised by policymakers and that they are given the additional support and funding that they need. It is also crucial that any changes to the measures taken are done in dialogue with the profession to ensure that it is effective and that children and young people can be supported properly.’
