Comment on NAO report ‘Financial sustainability of schools in...

Commenting on the NAO report ‘Financial sustainability of schools in England’, Matt Dunkley, Chair of the ADCS Resources & Sustainability Policy Committee said:

“A decade of increasing financial pressures in local authorities has also had a knock-on impact on schools, particularly in relation to those learners with special educational needs and disabilities. The report shines a spotlight on the huge, and increasing, deficits for schools and local authorities on their dedicated schools grant, totalling £675 million in 2019-20. Additional funding alone will not solve the system level challenges we face in meeting our statutory duties. These include the need for a more inclusive education system that supports a higher proportion of children with SEND to remain in their local mainstream school.

“Local authorities are now supporting more children with special educational needs and disabilities than ever before but, despite record levels of spending in this area, resources are not keeping pace with demand, leaving nobody satisfied. The SEND review must deliver for children by addressing the system level challenges that exist. Clearly, more can be done to ensure that more schools are financially sustainable to meet the needs of all learners. This is absolutely crucial to securing good outcomes for children and young people now and in the future as well as the future economic prosperity of this country.”

ENDS

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