SCHOOL staffing shortages are harming children’s education and safety, a survey by Unison has warned.

Almost three in five school support staff reported having fewer colleagues than a year ago and 78 per cent said there were not enough workers to meet pupils’ needs, according to the report, published today.

A similar number warned that reduced staffing made it harder to keep pupils safe, the union’s survey of almost 3,000 school workers found.

Unison head of education Mike Short said: “This survey paints a bleak picture of an underappreciated workforce going above and beyond.

“But even so, staff believe pupils’ education is suffering due to shortages.

“The situation is bad news for everybody and simply unsustainable. 

“Schools need extra cash so they can replace people when they leave and afford fair pay rises for all their employees.”

The findings were released as Stars in our Schools, the union’s annual celebration of support staff, is marked in schools.