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.
