Headteachers forced to mend desks and unblock toilets after cuts in England

Exclusive: School leaders say they have had to take on additional role as caretaker because they can no longer afford staff

Headteachers are being forced to mend desks and unblock toilets themselves after sacking school caretakers in the wake of budget cuts, the Guardian has been told.

School leaders in England said they could not afford to employ caretakers, and were having to change lightbulbs and clear playgrounds of dead rats themselves.