Crisis hits behaviour and safety in schools

It is well documented that the cost-of-living crisis has had a significant impact on families’ finances and economic wellbeing over the past year. Now research by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) reveals the effects of the crisis on children’s education and the amount of additional support schools are providing to all pupils, not just those eligible for the pupil premium (see graphics).

What is clear from the survey findings – drawn from responses by 1,354 senior leaders and 1,317 teachers in mainstream schools and 87 senior leaders and 41 teachers in special schools – is how the rise in living costs over the past 18 months has affected most aspects of school life, from deteriorating levels of pupil mental health, classroom behaviour and attendance. Teachers report a rise in safeguarding concerns over the past year (see expert view, below) and are increasingly stepping in to offer the basics such as food and clothing.

Dealing with the impact

The findings coincide with research from the Child Poverty Action Group which found that two-thirds of teachers say pupils don’t have the money for food at lunchtimes.

The research, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, also highlights how teachers and schools feel they are not getting the support they need from external agencies – including children’s social care, council education departments and children’s mental health services – to cope with the extra burdens of the crisis.

The report authors call for the government to provide more funding for schools to meet the additional costs of providing extra support and to fund the expansion of free school meals.

EXPERT VIEW

HOW THE CRISIS IS INCREASING SAFEGUARDING AND BEHAVIOUR INCIDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM

Megan Lucas, research manager, National Foundation for Educational Research

Pupils and their families have been profoundly impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, and schools are on the front line in responding to pupils’ needs.

Our research highlights that without urgent action now, recent cost-of-living increases risk having far reaching and long-lasting impacts on pupils, particularly those who are most vulnerable, across both mainstream and special school settings.

Safeguarding concerns, behaviour incidents and absenteeism

Most senior leaders across primary, secondary and special settings report that cost-of-living pressures have increased both the numbers of pupils requiring additional support – defined as anything over and above the usual provision pupils might receive in relation to pupil premium and/or special educational needs and disabilities support – and their level of need, especially in the most disadvantaged schools.

School leaders report that this led to an increase in the prevalence of safeguarding concerns, behaviour incidents and absenteeism in their schools, particularly in the most disadvantaged schools.

For example, around 77 per cent of secondary, 65 per cent of primary and 57 per cent of special school leaders agree pupil attendance had reduced due to cost-of-living pressures.

This highlights that cost-of-living pressures have exacerbated challenges with reducing the level of persistent absence – where a pupil’s attendance is lower than 90 per cent of possible sessions – in schools, which significantly increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, in autumn 2022/23, the persistent absence rate was 21 per cent in primary schools, up from nine per cent in 2018/19.

Funding, recruitment and retention challenges

Not only are schools having to meet increased levels of pupil need, but the increased cost of living, together with other challenges, has had a considerable negative impact on schools’ financial positions. Schools have had to make cuts to their provision (including staffing and learning resources) that staff feel are negatively affecting teaching and learning quality. Schools are only expecting the situation to worsen next year and for further cuts to be necessary. Recruitment and retention challenges have also been exacerbated by recent cost-of-living increases as salaries in schools have not remained competitive and additional pressures have affected staff retention.

This is amplifying the impacts of cuts and hindering schools’ ability to meet pupil need further.

• Cost-of-living crisis: Impact on schools – pupils and families from www.nfer.ac.uk