Around 90 schools have closed or merged across London over the past five years, with pupil numbers forecast to continue declining, according to a new report from London Councils. The organisation, which represents the capital's boroughs, has called on the Department for Education (DfE) to standardise closure procedures and ensure boroughs have the powers to make use of former school buildings as soon as possible.
Lengthy consultations leave families in limbo
The report says lengthy closure consultations can leave families in limbo for months, unsure of whether to look for new school places, while staff don't know whether to look for new jobs. Headteachers used "terms such as 'traumatic', 'shame', and 'horrendous' to describe their experiences, reflecting the considerable emotional toll," according to the report.
"While changes to school organisation are often discussed in terms of pupil numbers and finances, their human impact is equally important. Change can create uncertainty and anxiety for children, families and staff," the foreword says. "School closures, in particular, can bring a genuine sense of loss, reflecting the deep connections between schools and the communities they serve."
Inner London hardest hit by falling pupil numbers
Inner London has been particularly affected by closures, with eight of the 10 local authorities that have experienced the largest decreases in primary school numbers across the country coming in inner boroughs. Between 2013 and 2023, London's population of 0-9 year olds fell by 99,100 as the city's overall population grew by 506,000, prompting concerns that London, particularly the inner city, was no longer child-friendly.
Earlier this year the London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee warned that serious financial and practical barriers, including the cost of childcare and housing, have played a major role in families moving out of London.
Councils call for powers to reuse closed school buildings
Councillor Una O'Halloran, the Leader of Islington Council and London Councils Executive Member for Children and Education, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that while the falling pupil numbers trend is unlikely to reverse anytime soon, dealing with the consequences is vital.
"Birth rate is falling - numbers are especially low in inner London," she said. "It's a mix of issues - the housing crisis, people's choice not to have children and the cost of living. Brexit has also had an impact, as has the impact of remote working."
"The numbers are looking pretty bleak. We're never going to be able to reverse that trend. Once you have closed a school, you are still left with a building. But we have the bureaucracy of having to go the Secretary of State and asking what the asset can be used for," she added. "We need to make it easier to make decisions on what we can do with closed school buildings. When we close a school, we want the powers to make sure it doesn't remain empty for too long. If we have to do it, can we make people feel like they are a part of it?"
Some boroughs find productive uses for surplus space
The report cites good practice from some boroughs about taking advantage of the empty buildings. Hammersmith and Fulham Council has leased spare space to private and community organisations, generating over £100,000 a year for one host school. In Bexley, surplus space has been used to create 122 new places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across nine local schools, saving an estimated £8 million by reducing reliance on costly out-of-area placements. In Croydon, spare capacity now supports a unit helping asylum-seeking children settle into mainstream education.
However, London Councils says DfE approval for such changes of use can be slow, leaving buildings standing empty in the meantime. The DfE was contacted for comment.
