MINISTERS must open the gates of the "secret garden" of school funding to expose "corrupt practices", NASUWT leader Chris Keates said today.

Speaking at the teachers' union's annual conference, Ms Keates accused ministers of having "no interest" in whether money allocated to schools and colleges was being wisely spent.

Delegates at the conference called for substantial year-on-year increases to per pupil funding — but have also backed a tougher transparency regime around school.

Despite drastic cuts to school budgets, there have been numerous reports of heads getting six-figure salaries amid the expansion of academies.

Ms Keates said: “Austerity has taken a heavy toll on investment in education.

“As schools and colleges have been given increased autonomy over spending, spending decisions and priorities have become increasingly cloaked in mystery and secrecy."

She said "flawed, and in some cases, corrupt practices" had emerged due to a lack of accountability and transparency.

“There appears to be no interest from ministers in whether the funding allocated for the education of our children is being well or wisely spent — or is instead lining the pockets of consultants and funding vanity projects at a time when year-on-year investment in education has been cut," Ms Keates added.

“It is nothing short of scandalous.”