Croydon Council is exploring the conversion of empty classrooms in mainstream secondary schools into specialist facilities for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The proposal comes as the borough faces a sharp decline in pupil numbers, with 22 per cent of secondary school places unfilled last academic year, alongside unprecedented demand for SEND support.
The council's proposed borough-wide School Organisation Plan aims to address three interconnected pressures: falling birth rates, rising surplus mainstream places, and increasing demand for specialist provision. Repurposing surplus classroom space for SEND is one of five options listed in a recent consultation with school leaders, which closed on September 25.
Consultation and Proposals
Other proposals in the consultation included lowering Published Admission Numbers (PANs) for schools with excess capacity, merging under-occupied institutions, and establishing formal federations between neighbouring academies. The consultation sought insights from headteachers, governing bodies, Multi-Academy Trusts, Diocesan education boards, and strategic partners on current and future school place provision.
However, the apparent lack of public awareness around the strategy has prompted calls for greater transparency. Councillor Amy Foster, Croydon's Shadow Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that residents currently lack clarity about how and when they will have the opportunity to share their views.
Concerns Over Transparency
"We know that falling school rolls are a national challenge," Foster said, highlighting the particular impact in north Croydon. She warned that unfilled places can place significant financial pressure on school budgets, and if schools are forced to close, the financial burden would ultimately fall on the council. "This highlights the need for a well-managed and carefully coordinated plan to address these risks," she added.
Foster also raised concerns about managing the area's large number of Multi-Academy Trusts, suggesting their differing leadership structures could present challenges. She has called on the council to publish a clear timetable for reporting survey findings, conducting the next phase of consultation, and implementing any changes.
Council Response
In response, the council said no decisions had been made on immediate closures or structural changes. A spokesperson stated that any future proposals affecting specific schools would be subject to further engagement and, where required, formal consultation and statutory processes. "We recognise that partners want greater clarity on the impact on individual schools and on how change would be delivered," the spokesperson added.
The council has committed to continue working closely with governing bodies and trusts to protect school sustainability and secure positive outcomes for young people.
