Three in four primary schools cutting TA numbers despite SEND demand rising

The cuts are despite TAs' increasingly influential role supporting the rising number of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in schools.

Over the last five years demand for SEND support has increased by a fifth, according to latest government figures.

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The survey found that seven in 10 headteachers across all schools say cuts to TA numbers have increased over the last year, as part of a swathe of savings schools are making.

Three in 10 are reporting that cuts to teaching staff have increased over the last year, while just under a half are shedding support staff roles.

Schools in the North East are among the worst affected. In this region, more than two in five are cutting teaching roles.

Half of all headteachers are reporting cuts to school trips and outings, while more than a quarter are cutting back on sports and extracurricular activities.

Also, half of schools are reducing their spending on IT equipment.

Just under half of all schools are using pupil premium funding aimed for disadvantaged pupils to plug gaps across their budgets, up from two in five last year.

The survey of more than 1,000 teachers and headteachers has been carried out by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) for the Sutton Trust.

Support through the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) to help disadvantaged pupils catch up following Covid pandemic lockdowns has decreased, the survey finds.

While 52% of schools used NTP funding in 2023, this proportion has fallen to 47% this year.

The Sutton Trust is calling for an uplift in pupil premium funding, reform of school funding to target money at schools with the “highest needs” and a national strategy to close the gap in attainment between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.

“The erosion of schools funding coupled with rising costs is having a major impact on the ability of schools to provide the support that low-income students need,” said Sutton Trust founder Peter Lampl.

“It’s disgraceful that increasing numbers of school leaders are having to cut essential staff and essential co-curricular activities. The situation for primary schools, is one of rapid deterioration, with half of them having to use funding to plug gaps that should be used for poorer pupils.”