Inside the School Cuts Crisis

1 x 30’ BBC One Panorama, 2019
Shooting Producer

In England, school funding has dropped by 8% in real terms since 2010. But austerity has forced schools to play an ever increasing role in their pupils’ lives, providing vital support services far beyond just education.

The government has promised more funding for schools, but will it be enough and will it go to schools that need it most? We follow the pupils and teaching staff at North Denes Primary, a 360 strong primary school in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, during what head teacher, Debbie Whiting describes as ‘the hardest term’ of her career. A drastic cut in her state funded per pupil entitlement from £3100 to £2700 per pupil, as well as rising outgoing costs, including mandatory pay increases, have left her having to lose a fifth of her much needed staff over the course of one school term.