Nearly half (48 per cent) of headteachers say that energy and heating costs are their biggest worry over the next year.
And almost a third (32 per cent) said the costs of providing supply to cover staff absence was causing the greatest concern amid a spike of Covid disruption in schools
This compares with just one in six with worries about building and repairs costs, and only 1 per cent anxious about finding the money for catering, according to a survey run by Teacher Tapp.
The survey asked 435 school leaders what their biggest financial concern was over the next 12 months - giving the four choices above, as well as “other” and “not relevant” options.
Around half of leaders at schools with the highest proportion of pupils on free school meals were more concerned about supply costs than other issues.
But leaders of maintained and large multi-academy trusts were less concerned about supply cover costs than smaller or single academies.
The news comes as schools face a range of financial pressures this spring, with inflation and energy bills rising.
As highlighted in a Tes special report today, the wholesale element of a three-year fixed energy deal is currently more than 200 per cent higher for electricity and more than 270 per cent higher for gas compared with last year, according to data from Zenergi, an energy procurement company used by around 3,000 schools.
One head of a standalone academy in South Yorkshire told Tes he would see annual costs go up by just under £100,000 this month, alongside many other schools in the area that purchase their energy together as part of a joint procurement deal.
Meanwhile, the headteacher of a small rural primary - which is part of a multi-academy trust - in Cornwall said that bills at the school will rise by 190 per cent for electricity and 450 per cent for gas in April.
