It was still impossible to consider an edition of the magazine that didn’t discuss covid-19. One issue affecting schools that isn’t going anywhere in a hurry is the escalating financial costs that schools are facing due to the pandemic. In our feature, we crunch the numbers and include several case studies from members who highlight the reality of the situation on the ground and share how they have set about trying to balance the books. Away from covid-19, you’ll also find our latest feature on the pressing issue of leadership pay. The profession now finds itself facing a real-terms pay cut despite already experiencing a recruitment and retention crisis. This feature highlights the findings from our latest report on the issue and provides an update on how we’re calling on the government to fix it. Finally, we share the story of NAHT’s momentous campaign win on the Isle of Man, which proved to be a fascinating story of how members worked together to secure a landmark pay agreement.