Underpaid school staff’s sacrifices for their pupils

LOW-PAID school support staff are digging deep to buy supplies and uniforms for pupils, while struggling to pay their own bills.

Some 98% of workers surveyed by Unison fear their wages would not cover the cost of living.

But more than a third of school staff, who include teaching assistants and librarians, are still helping ensure pupils have enough to eat. Unison’s Mike Short said: “These staff are crucial to the smooth running of schools and learning experiences of pupils. Their pay should better reflect their invaluable support.” A Department for Education spokesman said: “Whilst decisions over pay are for individual schools, the core schools budget will be boosted by £2billion in the next two years.”