Camelot School and Cobourg School have recently merged to become Bird in Bush School to reduce costs
SHARE:
More schools across London are at risk of closure as demand for places is predicted to decline according to a new report by the local government association, London Councils.
Most London boroughs are expected to see a drop in demand for reception school places with an average decrease of 4.4%. That roughly translates to 3,864 places which will not be filled.
Inner London boroughs are expected to experience the greatest drop by 8%.
Schools are funded based on how many pupils are enrolled, primaries receive about £6,000 per pupil.
According to the report, a reduction in the number of children enrolling will lead to schools having no choice but to narrow their curriculums, slash school clubs or reduce the number of staff they employ in order to cut costs.
Randal Cremer Primary School (pictured) and De Beauvoir Primary School closed in September 2023. Credit: Google Street View
The borough recently merged Camelot School and Cobourg School to create the Bird in Bush School to combat growing financial pressures.
The Holy Family Roman Catholic Primary School in Kidbrooke is the latest to announce its plans to close this month. It is due to shut at the end of this school year.
The report also predicts a 4.3% average decrease in the demand for pupils starting secondary school in year 7. This translates to 4,040 school places.
The report states the drops in demand ‘will worsen in many areas’ and is unlikely to reverse.
The main reason for the decrease in demand is the falling birth-rate in London which dropped by 17% between 2020 and 2021.
The U.K.’s exit from the European Union was also outlined as another reason as more families leave London, alongside unaffordable housing, the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.
Councillor Ian Edwards, London Councils Executive Member for Children and Young People, said:
“This report comes at a time when unfortunately some of our schools and local authorities are negotiating a complex balancing act. The drop in demand for places means schools face extremely difficult decisions over how to balance their budgets.
London has some of the best schools in the country, with over 90% of all our schools being rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. We are working diligently to ensure that this level of high-quality education is accessible for all children entering schools in the coming years and allow our schools to thrive despite this difficult climate.
London Councils will work closely with key education partners in London including government, to mitigate the impact of this drop in demand for school places on school budgets and children’s achievement.”
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineMore schools at risk of closure in the Capital, report warns
Short HeadlineMore London schools at risk of closure
StandfirstDrop in birth rates, Brexit, the cost-of-living and the pandemic reduces the demand for school places according to a London Councils report.
More schools across London are at risk of closure as demand for places is predicted to decline according to a new report by the local government association, London Councils.
Most London boroughs are expected to see a drop in demand for reception school places with an average decrease of 4.4%. That roughly translates to 3,864 places which will not be filled.
Inner London boroughs are expected to experience the greatest drop by 8%.
Schools are funded based on how many pupils are enrolled, primaries receive about £6,000 per pupil.
According to the report, a reduction in the number of children enrolling will lead to schools having no choice but to narrow their curriculums, slash school clubs or reduce the number of staff they employ in order to cut costs.
Randal Cremer Primary School (pictured) and De Beauvoir Primary School closed in September 2023. Credit: Google Street View
The borough recently merged Camelot School and Cobourg School to create the Bird in Bush School to combat growing financial pressures.
The Holy Family Roman Catholic Primary School in Kidbrooke is the latest to announce its plans to close this month. It is due to shut at the end of this school year.
The report also predicts a 4.3% average decrease in the demand for pupils starting secondary school in year 7. This translates to 4,040 school places.
The report states the drops in demand ‘will worsen in many areas’ and is unlikely to reverse.
The main reason for the decrease in demand is the falling birth-rate in London which dropped by 17% between 2020 and 2021.
The U.K.’s exit from the European Union was also outlined as another reason as more families leave London, alongside unaffordable housing, the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.
Councillor Ian Edwards, London Councils Executive Member for Children and Young People, said:
“This report comes at a time when unfortunately some of our schools and local authorities are negotiating a complex balancing act. The drop in demand for places means schools face extremely difficult decisions over how to balance their budgets.
London has some of the best schools in the country, with over 90% of all our schools being rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. We are working diligently to ensure that this level of high-quality education is accessible for all children entering schools in the coming years and allow our schools to thrive despite this difficult climate.
London Councils will work closely with key education partners in London including government, to mitigate the impact of this drop in demand for school places on school budgets and children’s achievement.”
