The head of seven primary schools said children were suffering due to rising energy bills and staff costs which left him feeling "out of control".
Fuel bills at Eveleigh Link Academy Trust in Essex went up this year to nearly £300,000 from £115,000, it said.
Chief executive Joseph Figg said it was "a massive weight on my shoulders because of the impact on the children".
The government said schools would benefit from the Energy Relief Scheme and a funding rise of £4bn this year.
Mr Figg said increased fuel costs on top of "unfunded [teacher] pay rises" had "tipped it over the edge".
