English primary schools cutting teacher numbers amid budget pressure, survey finds

Rising inflation and falling pupil numbers also forcing schools to cut spending on extracurricular activities

Primary schools across England are having to shed staff and cancel trips and activities this year as rising inflation and falling pupil numbers cause a rapid deterioration in their finances.

A survey of more than 1,000 school leaders and teachers by the National Foundation for Educational Research found that three-quarters said their primary schools were cutting teaching assistant roles, while a third were also cutting teacher numbers.