School funding and the pupil premium 2026
Think tank: The Sutton Trust
Author(s): The Sutton Trust
April 23, 2026
This report from UK think tank the Sutton Trust reveals enduring challenges for schools.
For a number of years, our annual survey of teachers has provided detailed insights into school funding pressures and how school leaders are spending their budgets.
Last year’s release showed a worsening picture for school funding, with more school leaders reporting increased cuts to staffing and subjects, as well as trips and outings, across both primary and secondary schools.
This new survey, conducted by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) as part of their Teacher Voice Omnibus Survey, reveals enduring challenges for schools.
Despite overall increases in school funding over the past year, schools continue to face difficult choices on staffing, student support, extracurricular activities, and equipment, with cuts also being made to support for pupils with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).
In addition, senior leaders are concerned about what squeezed budgets might mean for their offer to young people in the academic year ahead.
