North East schools could be forced to cut staff or subjects just to keep the lights on as energy bills soar.
According to a report by regional education charity Schools North East, as many as 30% of schools in the region could be pushed into a deficit just by increases in the price of gas and electricity.
More than 80% of headteachers said they would either definitely or 'maybe' have to eat into their reserves to cover the costs. Without these reserves "staffing restructures" and "reduced curriculum spending" could be the only options.
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A survey of over 150 schools conducted by the body in March showed half of schools were budgeting for a 25%-50% hike in electricity costs by next year, while the majority were planning for gas costs to more than double. Over 18% of the schools surveyed were planning for a gas bill rise of over 150%.
These huge new costs could impact on the education on offer in the region.
In a briefing to stakeholders, a spokesperson for Schools North East said: "Schools said that these increases, in both electricity and gas, were significant, with some schools saying it would make the difference between a surplus and a deficit. Schools were worried that announcements of increases to school spending would not impact positively on educational outcomes, as it would be consumed by increased energy costs.
"Schools said that this is detrimental to what provision schools can offer. Many schools are considering using reserves to meet these increased costs, which would impact on strategic and school improvement planning.
"Schools are also having to consider staffing restructures and reduced curriculum spending across the board where reserves aren’t available."
A total of 42.4% said the costs might put them in deficit while 30.3% said they knew it would.
On top of the huge energy bills, headteachers were also reporting soaring costs for other essentials, including catering, transport, maintenance, and general supplies. The Schools North East briefing added: "Schools again expressed concern about how meeting these costs would impact on provision, especially for vulnerable learners and those with SEND [special educational needs and disabilities]."
Nationally, education unions have also raised concerns about the rising costs. Last week, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, told FE News: "Like every household and business, schools are facing rises in energy costs that could cripple their budgets – budgets that are already stretched to breaking point. The government needs to remember that every penny diverted to paying increased energy bills is a penny that can’t be spent on children’s learning and wellbeing. It is pupils that could suffer if they don’t take action to help.”
