Government hits out at schools ‘considering three-day week’ as energy bills spiral

Some schools have considered shutting at least one day a week – and possibly two – as they face crippling energy costs, it is claimed.

Headteachers and school bosses are holding crisis talks over the summer holiday trying to work out how to keep afloat in an impending financial crisis.

Schools are not subject to the energy price cap like ordinary households, and non-domestic gas and electricity prices rose 93% in 2021.

Dr Robin Bevan, headmaster of Southend High School for Boys in Essex, told The Sunday Telegraph that “if a four-day week is not already being planned, it will certainly be being considered” by some schools.

Mark Jordan, chief executive of Creative Education Trust, told the newspaper he had heard discussions of a “three-day week” to save cash.

And the chief executive of one of the country’s largest academy trusts, who did not want to be named, told the newspaper “shorter school days, fewer after-school clubs and enrichment opportunities and draconian restrictions on energy usage will become a reality for all trusts.”

But the Department for Education hit back at the reports – saying schools must provide a full-length week within current budgets.

A spokesperson said:“We recognise that schools – much like the wider economy – are facing increased costs, including on energy and staff pay.

“To support schools, budgets will rise by £7 billion by 2024-25 – including £4bn in the current financial year alone – compared with 2021-22, a 7% cash terms per pupil increase. A recent IFS report noted that this will mean that forecast increased costs are broadly affordable for schools in 2022-23.

“Our Schools White Paper set out our expectation that the school week should last a minimum of 32.5 hours – the current average – for all mainstream state-funded schools. Thousands of schools already deliver this length of week within existing budgets and we expect current funding plans to account for this.”

Despite this, nearly 150,000 people signed a petition earlier this year to make Friday part of the weekend in schools.

Parliament debated the petition, with Labour MP Catherine McKinnell citing evidence it could cut “stress and anxiety”, while voicing doubts about the plan overall.

During the debate in June, minister Robin Walker said: “We do not want to reduce opportunities for young people to be in school.

“Therefore, we have no plans to remove Friday from the school week.”

It comes as figures from the Institute for Fiscal Studies showed spending per pupil will be 3% lower per pupil in 2024 than it was in 2010.

Despite firm opposition from the government, unions have warned something has got to give.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary for school leaders’ union NAHT, told The Mirror: “We are hearing quite clearly from our members that rising energy costs will almost certainly have a negative impact on education.

“For some, the energy price hikes are the equivalent to the cost of a full-time teacher. Every penny spent in schools is a choice.

“Increased energy costs means that money which could be being spent on pupils is being paid to energy companies instead.”

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, told The Times: “The reality in many schools, colleges and trusts is that they are facing massive hikes in energy bills as well as pay awards for teachers and support staff for which there is no additional government funding.

“It is very likely that this situation will result in cuts to education provision and larger class sizes as schools and colleges try to find ways to balance their budgets.”