Head teachers say it is "disappointing" that Chancellor Philip Hammond's Autumn Statement failed to address funding pressures faced by many schools and colleges across England.

 

The chancellor did, however, confirm a £50m pot of money to support the expansion of grammar schools.

 

He said the government's education policies had "expanded opportunity".

But head teachers said capital investment in grammar schools was "the wrong priority".

 

Mr Hammond told MPs on Wednesday: "The government's education reforms have raised standards and expanded opportunity, with 1.4 million more children now in 'good' or 'outstanding' schools.

"And the new capital funding I have provided today for grammar schools will help to continue that trend."

 

Responding to the statement, Malcolm Trobe, interim general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "It is disappointing that the Autumn Statement failed to address the severe funding pressures in schools and colleges.

 

"The situation is so serious that some are struggling to deliver a full curriculum, courses are having to be cut and some sixth-forms are closing.

 

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