School budgets are close to breaking point in England suggests research by a head teachers' union. A survey of more than 1,000 schools by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) shows the number in deficit has doubled since 2015.
And 71% of the heads polled were only able to balance their budgets by making cuts or dipping into reserves, said NAHT general secretary Russell Hobby.
The government said it had protected the core schools budget in real terms.
The NAHT's Breaking Point survey for 2016-17 shows:
- more than twice as many schools in deficit since 2015 - up from 8% to 18%
- 71% of heads balance budgets by making cuts or using reserves
- 72% fear budgets will be unsustainable by 2019
- 85% save money by spending less on new equipment
The greatest cost pressures on schools, according to heads, are:
- government changes which have passed the costs of employing staff on to schools
- the decline in local authority services and the abolition of a central government grant which allows councils to support schools
- supporting greater numbers of pupils with mental health issues.
According to the union, almost 80% of schools are providing support for children with mental health issues from general school budgets, "stepping in where cuts in health and social care funding have failed to meet the growing demand for support".
Mr Hobby said 98% of schools were losing funding "at a time when costs are rising and pupil numbers are growing".
