A governors’ association has expressed “mounting concern” to the Government over “catastrophic” cost increases schools are facing. 

In a letter to the Department for Education, Calderdale Governors Association wrote of members’ concern over “the substantial negative impact on our schools and students regarding the catastrophic cost increases schools are facing.”

The letter, of which parts were read out to Calderdale councillors from a copy by Cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services, Coun Adam Wilkinson, said recent staff pay awards were deserved but inadequately funded and “uncapped, unpredictable enormous energy price rises” coupled with an inflation rate of above eight per cent and likely to exceed 18 per cent eventually, all in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, increased concern about sustainability of school finances.