Much of the additional funding pledged for schools in the recent government announcement will be redirected toward special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms, according to information obtained by Schools Week. Education leaders have responded with concern, arguing the funding still falls “well short” of what schools urgently require.
What’s Really Behind the £4.7 Billion Pledge?
Earlier this week, the Chancellor confirmed that the core school budget would grow by £4.7 billion by 2028. But a closer look reveals that a significant portion of this funding will be allocated to specific commitments outside of mainstream classroom spending.
Among the allocations:
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£615 million has been set aside to cover next year’s teacher pay award.
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£410 million will fund the expansion of free school meals.
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£760 million is allocated over the next two years specifically for SEND system reforms.
This means only a portion of the announced increase will directly benefit general education services, with the rest pre-committed to government initiatives and reform projects.
Per-Pupil Funding: Not As Promising As It Sounds
The Department for Education has positioned the funding as a 3% real-terms increase in per-pupil spending by 2028. However, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has cautioned that this projection is highly dependent on how SEND reforms are implemented and the resulting cost pressures.
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Luke Sibieta of the IFS said schools might face a real-terms freeze in per-pupil funding from 2025 to 2028, especially if SEND costs continue to surge. He warned that while the education budget appears generous on paper, rising SEND demand, staff wages, and falling student enrollment will likely squeeze budgets further.
SEND Reforms Drive Budget Pressure
New government data shows that the number of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) rose by 11% in the past year alone, with more than 5% of pupils in England now having an EHCP.
As part of its public service “transformation fund,” the government has earmarked:
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£547 million in 2026-27
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£213 million in 2027-28
to support SEND reforms.
Despite these being labeled as investments in systemic transformation, the Department for Education has confirmed these funds are being counted within the core school budget figures, effectively reducing the amount available for other school-level priorities.
School Leaders Warn of Continued Struggles
Though some education leaders welcomed the boost, many expressed deep reservations.
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Julia Harnden of the ASCL said the funding uplift does little to change the reality that schools are already making cuts and will continue to face financial strain.
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Dr Nicola Crossley, CEO of Liberty Academy Trust, remarked that the new funding “falls far short of what’s needed” to fix a deeply overburdened and complex system.
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David Clayton, CEO of Endeavour Learning Trust, emphasized that without targeted funding directed at the school level, the increases may “get swallowed up by existing pressures”.
Even small pay raises could be a challenge: Sibieta suggested the announced funds might only support teacher salary increases of around 2%. Anything higher could force schools to cut staff or reduce essential spending, unless additional resources are secured.
Concerns Over Smaller Schools
Lee Mason-Ellis, who leads The Pioneer Academy, voiced alarm over the sustainability of small primary schools, which are especially vulnerable to underfunding. He called the lack of support “a grave concern.”
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Government’s Position
In response, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the funding settlement as a “record per-pupil investment”, tying it to the government’s broader “Plan for Change,” which aims to center children and families in national renewal efforts.
Still, as school leaders and experts highlight, the true impact of the funding announcement will depend on how it is distributed—and whether it can keep pace with the rising demand for SEND services, staffing pressures, and the financial realities schools face daily.
