ERIC Number: ED661582
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024-May
Pages: 57
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: 978-1-916567-07-8
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Ongoing Impact of the Cost-of-Living Crisis on Schools
Megan Lucas; Jenna Julius
National Foundation for Educational Research
Since 2021, unprecedented increases in energy costs, rapid increases in food costs and substantial increases in the cost of housing via higher rent/mortgage costs have driven a dramatic rise in the cost of living across England. Despite inflation having fallen from its peak in winter 2022, costs remain high compared to incomes and cost pressures are expected to persist for years to come. These cost-of-living pressures have had a profound impact on pupils and their families, alongside directly impacting on the expenditures of schools. Drawing on an online survey of over 1200 teachers and senior leaders in mainstream schools in March 2024, this research builds on previous research into the impact of the cost of living and explores how cost-of-living pressures, alongside wider financial pressures, are impacting schools a year on. This research aims to establish: (1) has the level of need among pupils changed since last year?; (2) what support are schools providing to pupils and how has this changed over the last year?; and (3) what is the ongoing impact of cost pressures, including cost of living increases, on schools' provision and financial positions? The findings highlight the scale of the pressures impacting families and schools which has entrenched high levels of need among pupils. As a result, schools are continuing to take unprecedented steps to meet need. The level of unmet need among pupils, coupled with the significant resourcing pressures affecting schools, is likely to impact on pupil attainment outcomes in both the short and long term and widen longstanding gaps between disadvantaged pupils and their more advantaged peers.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Economic Change, Cost Indexes, Family Income, Family Financial Resources, Educational Finance, School Funds, Energy Management, Teacher Salaries, Economic Impact, Student Reaction, Teacher Response, Elementary Secondary Education, Public Schools, Special Schools
National Foundation for Educational Research. The Mere, Upton Park, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 2DQ, UK. Tel: +44-1753-574123; Fax: +44-1753-637280; e-mail: enquiries@nfer.ac.uk; Web site: http://www.nfer.ac.uk
Related Records: ED661599
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) (United Kingdom)
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (England)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A