Jersey schools in debt
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WQ.1/2026
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING
BY DEPUTY D.J. WARR OF ST. HELIER SOUTH
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 19th JANUARY 2026
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 26th JANUARY 2026
Question
"Further to a December 2025 article in the media which stated that "Schools across Jersey were almost £4.5 million in debt within the first 10 months of this year", will the Minister explain –
- what constitutes "being in debt" in the context of the school estate;
- the main drivers behind any overspends and the actions, if any, that are being taken or considered to ensure budgets are not exceeded this year; and
- whether any such actions include cuts in service provision and, if so, will the Minister provide details of any services considered for reduction or removal?"
Answer
- The article quoted refers to a recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request where the requestor asked for school deficits and surpluses as at 31/10/2025. The response to the FOI listed the surpluses and deficits as requested. It is unclear as to why the word "debt" was chosen for the article as "debt" is defined as a sum of money that is owed or due. No schools are in debt but some ended 2025 with a budget deficit, while others were in surplus.
- Staff budgets are overspent predominantly in Special schools and on inclusion support in mainstream schools. More frontline staff have been appointed than were originally budgeted to address safety issues for both children and staff to meet individual needs. There is a rise in secondary school pupil numbers combined with a sharp increase in the numbers and complexity of special educational needs across primary and secondary schools.
The overspend on non-staff budgets in schools is due largely to increases in the costs of essential supplies and services. There has also been some one-off expenditure on buildings to create serveries for school meals in primary schools.
- Headteachers are delegated the responsibility for the management of school budgets within the allocated fiscal envelope. Where schools are experiencing pressures on budgets a school finance board has been established to support the Headteacher to enable the school to return to a balanced budget. It is recognised there are pressures in relation to the provision of inclusion support in schools and this requires careful consideration over time.