These are the pressures school leaders raise with us most often in our community: special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision, budgets and buildings, and staff wellbeing, recruitment and retention. Below is what leaders describe under each, with resources that help.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Rising Demand, Limited Resources

  • Increasing numbers of pupils require specialised support, stretching existing resources.
  • Schools with strong SEND reputations are under increasing pressure as families seek the best possible provision for their children.

Funding Shortfalls

  • Budget allocations for SEND have not kept pace with rising costs, leaving many schools struggling to meet statutory requirements.
  • Many Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) in England are delayed, placing additional strain on staff and pupils.

For guidance on improving SEND provision, explore:

Budget and Finance: Deficits and Rising Costs

Financial Pressures

  • Deficit budgets are now common, forcing schools to cut essential services or reduce staffing levels.
  • Rising costs in energy, staffing, and infrastructure maintenance place additional financial strain.

Ageing Buildings and Maintenance Backlogs

  • Many schools require urgent repairs, but funding for capital projects remains limited.
  • Leaders are forced to prioritise emergency fixes over long-term improvements.

For financial planning support, visit:

Wellbeing, Recruitment, and Retention: A Crisis in the Workforce

Staff Wellbeing at an All-Time Low

  • School leaders report high levels of stress and burnout, impacting retention.
  • Many schools struggle to maintain staff morale amid workload pressures and increasing accountability measures.

Recruitment and Retention Challenges

  • Filling specialist roles, including SEND and STEM positions, is increasingly difficult.
  • Many early-career teachers leave the profession within five years, worsening the retention crisis.

For strategies on improving staff wellbeing and retention, explore:

The Way Forward: Solutions for Schools

Key Priorities for Schools and Policy Makers

  • More funding and support for SEND provision, so every pupil gets the support they need.
  • More investment in school buildings to clear the maintenance backlog.
  • Attention to staff wellbeing and professional development to keep staff.
  • Using technology to save time and support teaching.
  • Stronger networks between leaders, so no one faces this alone.

Join the conversation and explore further resources at: