Some schools are also understood to be using their pupil premium – the extra cash they get from the Government for taking in pupils on free school meals – to pay for private tuition for their disadvantaged pupils.
But there has been no corresponding improvement in pupils' performance.
And even at secondary, homework "explains only a small amount of variance in pupils' achievement".
We know that increases in funding do not necessarily bring about improvements in pupils' achievement.
And staff report better behaviour, concentration levels and attainment in pupils.
Almost two-thirds of headteachers are concerned about depression in pupils.
Everything has to documented so that if Ofsted comes in tomorrow, they can see progression in pupils' books.
He reckons good leadership and organisation are essential, and that schools must instil the habit of good behaviour in pupils.
A real-terms increase in education department spending in line with the increase in pupils by 2020.
The superintendent of schools, Dr. Marylu Simon, said that 70 languages and dialects are spoken in pupils' homes.
The DfE highlighted the rise in pupils taking science and technology subjects, with especially big rises in computing.
