Cost crisis grows as parents fill funding gap

As reported in The Independent, parents helping with core costs raises fear of growing gap between rich and poor

Days into the new academic year, headteachers have raised the alarm about a looming funding crisis in schools, with some parents urged to make donations and parent-teacher associations on standby to plug funding gaps for classroom essentials.

As energy bills and wage costs rise, school leaders say money from PTA fundraising efforts will be needed to cover core costs rather than ‘nice to have’ extras. In affluent areas where PTAs are able to raise huge sums, it could even be used to save jobs and help pay bills.

Elsewhere, schools say PTAs will struggle to raise funds this winter as the cost of living crisis hits households. Simon Kidwell, the principal of Hartford Manor primary school in Cheshire, said his school would not be asking parents for additional donations. “The PTA are very, very aware that parents don’t have the same money available.”

The crisis raises the prospect of a widening gulf between schools with affluent families still able to donate money to enhance their child’s education, and those in disadvantaged areas. One finance director at a small trust in the south-east said: ‘I’m going to the PTA AGM in a couple of weeks’ time. Basically, the message will be: as much money as you can raise needs to come to the school. Not for specific projects, just so that we can keep our core services going.’

A letter has gone out to parents warning that costs are rising at an alarming rate and will have “a detrimental impact” on the quality of education provided, urging them to contact MPs and to consider making a monthly £15 donation or a suggested £180 contribution. The request for parental donations is not new – many schools have run donation schemes for years – but the urgency is.

The prime minister, Liz Truss, has promised a six-month energy guarantee for the public sector, but few details have been released and trust and school leaders say short-term help will not be enough.Advertisement

“We don’t tend to ask parents for a lot of money,” said Dr Paul Gosling, the headteacher at Exeter Road Community primary school in Exmouth, Devon. The PTFA (parents, teachers and friends association) usually raises about £5,000 each year, which goes on library books and helping children from lower-income families to take part in residential trips and other visits.

In 2019, three per cent of PTAs surveyed said their funds had been spent on either staff salaries or training. More than two-thirds (68%) spent funds on educational materials in 2019, including textbooks, and 17% paid for school renovation projects.

While a small number of PTAs are able to raise £100,000 a year or more, the average PTA will raise £9,000. PTA fundraising has also been devastated by the pandemic. In 2021, PTAs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland raised £60.8m – about half what they raised pre-pandemic.

Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The sums involved are enormous and well beyond the means of PTAs. That is really a matter for the government to address – something which it needs to do with a sense of urgency.

“Where we may well see PTAs stepping in, however, is with providing help to pupils whose families are struggling because of the cost of living crisis. For example, they could help to buy clothes, books and other provisions needed by young people who cannot afford these costs.”

The Department for Education has previously said the government recognised that schools were facing increased costs, but that budgets will rise by £7bn by 2024-25, compared with 2021-22, including by £4bn in this financial year alone to help schools to meet wider cost pressures such as energy prices and staff salaries.