ASCL has significant concerns about the impact of shrinking resource budgets on educational outcomes for all children and young people. With inflation and energy costs at levels unprecedented in recent times, schools are under huge financial pressure. What is needed is a funding boost to prevent further cuts in provision.

A flourishing education system is fundamental to the performance, growth and productivity of any country. Education funding represents investment in economic growth. It is ASCL’s view that the distribution of the national education budget should be transparent and that schools should have three-year settlements. Single year allocations limit the strategic planning process for leaders, especially in the current harsh financial landscape. 

The interim report, Independent Review of Education in Northern Ireland, concludes that the education system is not adequately funded. Real terms spend per pupil reduced by 10% in the seven-year period prior to the Covid pandemic. There has been a significant decline in investment in education and skills, including a real-terms reduction in spending on higher education, further education and industry skills of around one third over the period between 2010/11 and 2019/20. 

Full response to consultation