UK schools have spent an extra £80,000 on pandemic-related costs

30 December 2020

The Education Policy Institute (EPI) has found that just 31% of extra costs facing schools as a result of covid-19 regulations and restrictions are covered by the government’s support fund. We at Marshall Minibus leasing sympathise with schools and educators who are struggling through this pandemic. We are here to support our minibus customers, with expert advice and management.

EPI’s report found that 57% of schools throughout the UK are having to use their reserves to cover the costs of operating in a ‘Covid-safe’ environment and 48% of primary schools and 50% secondary schools are unlikely to balance their budget by the end of the year.

The research is based upon the responses of more than 700 schools between March and November 2020, which were distributed through the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT).

Key findings and figures include:

Since the start of the March lockdown, on average, primary schools’ non-staff costs increased by around £13,000, and secondary schools’ nearly £43,000 (similar on a per-pupil level). Schools expect to spend a similar amount during the rest of the year.
There has also been increased spending on teaching staff, and this is expected to rise over the next year. On average, primary schools spent an extra £9,000 on teaching staff, compared to £15,000 in secondary schools. On a per pupil level, this is twice as high in primary than in secondary. Extra expenditure on teaching staff was greatest in the most disadvantaged schools.
In addition to increased costs, 9 out of 10 schools have seen their incomes fall with more affluent schools seeing the biggest reductions. These schools are more likely to miss out on voluntary contributions or income derived from hiring out their facilities.
Despite these pressures, a quarter of primary schools and half of secondary schools did report making some savings, largely on utilities.

Analysis found, unsurprisingly, that almost every school in the country had faced extra costs and that many schools will face overflow costs of up to £40 per pupil due to the pandemic.

It is concluded that some schools may face higher ‘per-pupil’ costs due to receiving less government support, or not qualifying for it at all.

The UK government’s ‘School funding: exceptional costs associated with coronavirus (COVID-19) for the period from March to July 2020’ scheme is now in its ‘second window’, but 69% of Covid-costs between all schools in the UK have not been met by this funding scheme.

The government has also promised £1 billion to schools to invest in helping pupils catch up with lost learning. A massive £650 million of this is for a ‘catch up premium’ and the other £350 million is create a National Tutoring Programme. Although, the research data revealed an uncertainty amongst schools as to whether this funding will cover the total costs.