The majority of primary schools in England are asking for more contributions from parents due to rising financial pressures, a report has suggested.
At least 45% of senior leaders in schools have reported that the increased cost of living has damaged the quality of teaching and learning in their school, according to a survey.
Senior leaders are cutting spending on learning resources such as printed worksheets, materials for art and science and library books, as well as reducing targeted learning support, the report said.
Around half of senior leaders in schools are keeping their classrooms colder to reduce costs, it added.
The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) report suggested schools are expecting their financial situations to worsen over the coming year, which will “intensify” the cuts further.
It warned that the gap in attainment outcomes between disadvantaged pupils and more advantaged peers is likely to widen due to the financial pressures facing schools.
The survey of 1,354 senior leaders in mainstream primary and secondary schools in England in April and May suggested more than two in five were expecting an in-year deficit in 2022/23.
Just under half of senior leaders in mainstream schools are expecting to have both an in-year deficit and needing to make cuts to provision in 2023/24.
