According to new data from London Councils, London boroughs have seen a decrease in demand for school places and south east London has some of the highest rates.
New data revealed that London local authorities and schools are currently dealing with a “significant” and “sustained” reduction in demand for reception places that will have implications for school budgets and standards.
29 London boroughs are predicted to decrease in demand of over four per cent for reception places between 2022-2023 and 2026-2027.
Further figures revealed that London reception numbers are predicted to drop by 7.3 per cent between this time frame.
South east London is predicted to experience a -9.9 per cent change in the number of reception pupils between 2022-2023 and 2026-2027.
Lewisham borough showed a predicted 10 to 15 per cent decrease in reception places between 2022-2023 and 2026-2027.
Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich boroughs all showed an estimated decrease in demand for reception places of between five to ten per cent.
London Councils further predicts a decrease in demand for year 7 places in secondary schools across London boroughs, with an anticipated 3.5 per cent decrease between 2022-2023 and 2026-2027.
Lewisham ranked as the second highest borough for the biggest reduction in demand for year 7 school places with a 10 to 15 per cent estimated decrease.
Bromley was forecast a smaller decrease at just over five percent between 2022-2027.
Yet Bexley had quite the opposite with a zero to five per cent increase in demand for year 7 places forecast between 2022-2023 and 2026-2027.
As a result, London Councils says that these changes will have a negative impact on school services with funding allocated on a “per pupil basis”.
Primary schools in London may be forced to make budget cuts to spending as well as hiring out their facilities to manage costs.
London schools may need to reduce staff numbers, narrow their curriculum and any extracurricular activities to account for the lack of funding.
London Councils has also warned that the lack of funding “could have an impact on school standards”.
London Council’s Executive Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Ian Edwards said: “London boroughs are working closely with schools experiencing decreasing demand for school places to achieve the best for young Londoners.
“London still has the best performing schools in the country and it is vital we ensure our schools thrive in this difficult climate and most importantly, that children achieve the best outcomes.
“Schools are having to make very difficult decisions about how to balance budgets as a result of this drop in school places and local authorities will support them through this process.
“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 and to establish an effective framework to meet this challenge going forwards”.
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