Responding to a new Unison survey, which found that three in five support staff reported having fewer colleagues than a year ago, James Bowen, assistant general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“Support staff play a vital role in our schools - without them schools simply wouldn’t be able to function.

“They really are the unsung heroes of the school workforce. Ever-increasing budget pressures mean that many schools are finding it harder and harder to afford the level of support staff they need, and where this is the case children undoubtedly suffer – often the most vulnerable.

“We frequently hear of leaders who are having to reduce the number of teaching assistants they have in order to balance the books. If the government wants a more inclusive school system then it must ensure schools have the necessary funding to deliver it.”