A body that supports school governors has called for a review of education funding in Wales amid significant pressures on school budgets that are affecting pupils and provision.
In a national survey by Governors Cymru Services, published today, 54% of the 290 governors who responded identified funding as the most pressing issue currently facing their school.
When asked what one intervention would make the biggest difference to their school, 65% said ‘increased funding or grant support’, while 13.5% said ‘more teachers or support staff’.
More than 180 governors left comments in the survey, with many expressing concerns about the financial situation in their schools and the impact it has had, including cuts to services, staff redundancies and a shortage of provision for the most vulnerable pupils.
One said: “Despite being a full school with budget trimmed back year on year, 95% of our budget is salaries and we are at minimum staffing to deliver statutory education. Our allocated budget via the formula is insufficient for us to achieve this.”
Another said: “Education inflation is higher than the funding we receive. The statutory demands of ALN are a big burden.”
After funding, 11% of respondents said provision for Additional Learning Needs (ALN) was their biggest concern, followed by 4.6% who identified school organisational changes.
Jane Morris, Co-Director of Governors Cymru Services, said: “It’s clear that schools in Wales are facing severe financial strain. Governors, who play a vital strategic role in our education system, are at the sharp end, making funding decisions that affect teachers, pupils and provision.
“Schools still must ensure the best possible education for their learners, but against a backdrop of cuts, falling rolls, reduced staffing and fewer resources, this is proving to be nigh impossible, with many schools at breaking point.
“That’s why we’re calling for a radical, national review to ensure sustainable, well-resourced education across Wales.”
Governors Cymru Services, which provides a range of support to inspire and promote effective school governance, launched its survey in June, receiving 290 responses.
Its report, Governors at the front line: A call to recognise, resource, and reform education in Wales, has been published today and sent to politicians from all political parties in Wales.
The report makes four key recommendations:
- School funding: Schools face severe financial strain. A national review is urgently needed to ensure sustainable, well-resourced education.
- ALN support: Provision is inconsistent and under-resourced. National research, clarity on governors’ roles, and better training are essential.
- Governor voice: The perspectives of governors must be valued and embedded in policymaking to strengthen education reform.
- Sharing effective practice: A coordinated, national approach is required to capture and disseminate what works well in governance.
Jane Morris added: “Governors are integral to the future of education in Wales. Their voices must be heard, and their needs addressed, if we are to build a resilient, inclusive, and effective system. With the next Senedd elections just seven months away, we call on politicians of all political parties to consider the issues a raised seriously and to include these priorities as commitments in their manifestos.”
