The Guardian and The Independent reported that budget cuts in rural schools mean that many headteachers take on additional roles such as gardening, cleaning and driving the school minibus.

More than four in 10 rural schools in England are undersubscribed and facing increasingly squeezed budgets, forcing headteachers to complete a variety of extra tasks, according to a survey by the information service, Key. In addition, 38 per cent of rural schools have pupils who travel up to 10 miles to get to school, with transportation costs further denting budgets.

Some responses highlighted the difficulty of finding cover teachers in rural areas, as it is not cost-effective for agency staff to travel such long distances.

A Department for Education spokesperson said that they recognise the extra pressures that rural schools are under and changes to the National Funding Formula will alleviate some of this. They also said £25 million has been ring-fenced to support rural schools.

Full articles:

→ The Guradian - Headteachers forced to do menial tasks at unfilled rural schools

→ The Independent - Headteachers forced to double up as canteen staff amid funding cuts in rural schools

→ tes - Rural schools face 'perfect storm' of problems