Winchester Vacancies

SPOTLIGHT

A zero sum game?

The number of SEND tribunal cases is rising and the proportion of appeals ‘lost’ by local authorities is at a record high. Lottie Winson talks to education lawyers to understand the reasons why, and sets out the results of Local Government Lawyer’s exclusive survey.

London boroughs forecast drop in demand of nearly 8,000 school places across reception and Year 7 between 23/24 and 27/28

Schools in London are experiencing a continued drop in demand for places, causing “major implications” for the future of schools across the capital, research carried out by London Councils has revealed.

In its Managing falling schools rolls report, the group called on the Department for Education, amongst other things, to ensure that academies are part of local school place planning arrangements and school organisation plans, and that they are considered for PAN (published admission number) reductions or school closure, as part of a “transparent and fair process”.

The report shows a predicted decrease of 4.4% in reception pupil numbers over the next four years - translating to 3,864 places.

However, the report notes that this “masks some larger decreases”, including seven boroughs in London that are forecasting a decrease in demand of more than 10%.

Earlier this month, a group of parents threatened for a second time to bring a legal challenge against Hackney Council over its decision to close a local primary school.

Colvestone Primary School in Dalston is one of four schools that will close at the start of the next school year due to the “significant decline in the number of school-aged children”.

At secondary school level, forecast demand is also falling. The report estimates a drop of demand of 4.3% for pupils beginning secondary school. The decrease for pupils entering Year 7 translates to 4,040 places, roughly equivalent to 134 classes.

The report cites London’s birth rate as the main reason for the decrease in demand for school places.

Between 2012-2021 there has been a 17% decrease of the birth rate in London, which is a reduction of 23,225 live births across the capital. 

“It is not unusual for London’s birth rate to fluctuate, however it is having, and will continue to have, an impact on demand for school places which schools, boroughs and the DfE will need to manage”, warned London Councils.

Other factors affecting the number of applications for school places include families leaving London due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit and the cost-of-living crisis.

London Councils revealed that boroughs were “working closely” with schools across London, Government and education services to share best practice and minimise the impact of the reduction in demand for school places.

The report calls on the Department for Education, in addition to ensuring academies are part of local school place planning arrangements and school organisation plans, to:

  • Review the funding model for schools with falling rolls to help protect London’s schools for the future.
  • Review arrangements to protect closed school buildings for educational purposes.
  • Work with local authorities and schools to promote more inclusion in schools and ensure that schools receive consistent and appropriate levels of funding to enable more children with SEND to access mainstream school places.

The Department for Education has been approached for comment.

Lottie Winson