TEACHING unions have set five tests for education secretary Justine Greening ahead of an expected announcement on the new funding formula for schools.

Unions ASCL, NAHT, NEU, UNISON, UNITE and the GMB said schools are 'on their knees as a result of insufficient funding'.

They are demanding school cuts be reversed and that every school is guaranteed at least the same money per pupil next year as when it took office in 2015.

They are also calling for new money from the Treasury, for high needs, early years and post-16 education to be fairly funded, for a five-year funding plan to be announced and for historic underfunding to be addressed.

Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “If the government shares our ambition to continue to raise education standards it has to put its money where its mouth is and provide the funding desperately needed by schools and colleges.

"It simply isn’t possible to maintain existing standards, let alone take them to the next level, without appropriate resources.

“Schools and colleges have already had to respond to reductions in government funding. They have had to cut courses, student support services and enrichment activities. Without improved funding there is worse to come. We are sure that parents will share our desire to see the government invest properly in the future of our young people.”