NGA Annual Governance Survey

The National Governance Association (NGA) has published the findings of its Annual Governance Survey 2025 at the National Governance Conference for Schools and Trusts.

The survey revealed that school finances and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision in England are now at crisis point. More than 3,000 governors and trustees took part and the findings provide the starkest picture yet of the pressures facing schools and trusts:

• Over 70% of governing boards now say balancing the budget is their number one challenge
• Only 16% consider themselves financially sustainable in the medium to long term under current funding levels
• 63% of governing boards name SEND as one of their top challenges, a huge leap from 37% last year, with over half (53%) making it a strategic priority
• 84% reported difficulties in securing funding for SEND
• 67% reported difficulties securing Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans for children who need them
• Only 54% of schools and trusts are currently able to balance income and expenditure.
• Nearly half (45%) are reliant on efficiency savings just to keep going
• 50% are looking to restructure staffing
• 55% are renegotiating contracts for goods and services
• 36% are planning for falling pupil numbers, particularly in early years and primary, which adds further financial strain
• Nearly 60% of schools are now providing additional services beyond their core remit, with one in five under significant pressure due to this wider support role.

The NGA is calling for urgent increases in high-needs funding to meet rising SEND demand. Reinvestment of funding released by falling rolls to secure fairer per-pupil and pupil premium allocations, immediate capital investment to address unsafe buildings and a  long-term plan to support the workforce and secure the future sustainability of schools and trusts.

Download the full Annual Governance Survey report to see the detailed findings and recommendations.