Lambeth: Consultation launched on falling pupil numbers

People leaving the capital due to Brexit, the cost of living crisis and a fall in the birth rate by a third mean fewer children are starting school in Lambeth each year. Coupled with an injustice financing systemLondon schools are struggling.

The Board engaged with schools on how to manage this challenge, focusing primarily on further reductions in Published Admission Numbers (PANs), but also on potential mergers and possible closures.

The board has worked positively in partnership with schools for many years to reduce enrollment in a fair and equitable manner that protects the quality of education in the district. The latest round of cuts was passed in December. This partnership approach has seen 975 places removed from schools in Lambeth – from 3,650 to 2,675 – between 2016 and 2025.

However, in January there are more than 539 places available in reception classes, almost 20% of the total available or the equivalent of around 18 classes of 30 children. Not all schools that have reduced their enrolment, together with demographics that are not improving, this means that further reductions in enrolment, will not be sufficient to address the scale of the problem and more significant interventions will need to be considered further.

With this ongoing and worsening situation putting a real strain on school budgets, the need to consider potential mergers and closures is now being discussed with our communities.

Lambeth Council launches a consultation with the public to discuss how best to manage these impacts and get local people to share their views on how we can protect our high quality education now and in the future on behalf of our children.

Councilor Ben Kind, Cabinet Member for Children and Families said: “We have worked hard in partnership.Work with our schools to find solutions to this serious situation that support Lambeth’s high standards of education while maintaining excellent education for the future.

“These are difficult conversations and there will be tough decisions in the coming months – but we cannot ignore the reality of the challenge. Let me be clear: this is not a reflection on the dedication of Lambeth School staff or the quality of teaching, rather it is a decline in pupil numbers over a long period of time which has a negative impact on the sustainability of individual schools and of Lambeth’s wider school system.

“The Government has changed the way schools are funded so that they receive funding per pupil rather than need, which can leave them with even greater financial pressures when faced with falling pupil numbers. Lambeth Council has urged the Government to act more decisively to help schools facing falling numbers or struggling financially – but their limited support is too little and too late.

“Leaving schools undercrowded simply exacerbates the financial pressures they face, particularly those in the capital where costs are higher. Our commitment is to work with schools, teachers, staff and parents to meet this challenge cohesively, protect our schools as much as possible, maintain excellent education and ensure a diverse range of school types that balance community and religious schools.”

advisory launches today and will be open for a minimum of eight weeks. Following the results of the consultation, an official proposal will be presented to the Cabinet in the autumn term.