Performance Tracker 2023: Schools

~ Bruce Levitan

The Institute for Government’s 2023 Performance Tracker outlines some of the key trends in mainstream education last year, and points to some issues for the future. Some of the key points are:

  • Pupil numbers have peaked since the end of the last “baby boom” in 2013, so in genetral schools will see falling rolls in the coming years.
  • Per-pupil funding has increased from recent lows.
  • Far more pupils have special education needs and disabilities.
  • There are record numbers of teachers but the government is missing initial teacher training targets by a huge margin.
  • Staff pay is schools’ biggest cost and has increased by less than inflation.
  • Funding increases for 2023/24 exceed expected cost increases.
  • Primary school attainment has dropped markedly since the pandemic.

You can read the full report here.