Heads and councils press for extra £5.5bn for ‘struggling’ schools

Exclusive: group says provision for Send pupils in particular is ‘woefully underfunded’

An alliance of headteachers, school governors, councils and unions are to lobby the chancellor for a further £5.5bn a year to help schools in England to avoid financial difficulties and cuts.

The coalition, involving almost every significant organisation involved in state schools – including the National Governors Association and a bipartisan group representing both Conservative and Labour-led councils – is writing to Rishi Sunak before next week’s budget seeking additional funds, with a focus on “woefully underfunded” provision for pupils with special education needs and disabilities (Send).

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