Falling pupil rolls in primary schools are leading to cuts in non-teaching staff and teachers not being replaced, leaders have said in a Department for Education survey.
In a , published today, 30 per cent of 464 primary school leaders said the number of pupils at their school had decreased in the past 12 months.
Asked what they have had to do as a result, 59 per cent of those leaders said they have had to cut non-teaching staff, 55 per cent said they have reduced the use of supply teachers, while 43 per cent said they have not replaced teachers when they have left the school.
Asked what additional responsibilities teachers have had to take on as a result, leaders said teachers have had to take on additional supervision activities (52 per cent) and more administrative work (41 per cent).
Primary leaders said teaching assistants have had to provide support for a greater number of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as a result (89 per cent), and have also had to work across multiple classes (79 per cent).
Off-site directions and AP
The DfE’s survey also found only 49 per cent of primary leaders were aware of the power they have to use an off-site direction for pupils before suspending or excluding them. Just 17 per cent said they had used this power.
Leaders were also asked about outreach support from alternative provision (AP) settings. Of primary leaders surveyed, 27 per cent said they have at least one pupil who needs outreach support but is not receiving it, compared with 15 per cent of secondary leaders.
Leaders said the barriers to pupils not receiving the support they need include their local AP not providing enough support and the outreach support being too expensive.
Another focused on questions about awareness of teaching school hubs, which 39 per cent of teachers said they had not heard of.
Asked if they had heard of the National Institute of Teaching, 44 per cent of teachers said they had not, and 34 per cent were only aware of the name.
Mentoring and progression
Teachers were also asked in March about their experience with mentors and aspirations for leadership in future.
Some 45 per cent of teachers surveyed said they had never had a mentor or a coach.
Less than half of teachers at both phases (48 per cent for primary, 43 per cent for secondary) said they were interested in progressing to a leadership position within the next 10 years.
Breakfast club provision
The asked respondents which spaces had been used at school to deliver breakfast provision for pupils with SEND.
Some 77 per cent of schools told the survey that they relied on communal spaces to provide such facilities, such as a hall, sports hall or canteen.
However, 30 per cent said that they used outdoor spaces, such as playgrounds, to deliver breakfast provision for pupils with SEND.
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