Lambeth council is to consult residents and school communities on proposals to deal with falling primary school pupil numbers and the “huge challenges” this creates for the borough.
The council said the borough’s primary schools face a “stark challenge” from falling enrolments.
Ten years ago 3,243 children were starting primary schools in Lambeth. By January 2024 there were 2,324 starting, a drop of almost 30 per cent. This has left more than 500 vacancies in reception classes alone, the equivalent of 18 empty classrooms.
The council said that reasons for fewer children starting school in Lambeth each year include people leaving the capital due to Brexit, the cost of living crisis and a one-third drop in birth rates, means.
“Coupled with an unfair funding system, schools across London are struggling,” it said.
The council said these factors means urgent action is needed. The new consultation is over proposals for amalgamations and closures of a small number of local primary schools designed to reduce the risk of the schools building up big deficits.
The council said proposals out for consultation from today (9 September) follow an extended period of community feedback gathering over the summe.
During that period of community engagement the council also wrote to the new government calling for reform of the unfair “National Funding Formula”, in particular highlighting to the new secretary of state for education, Bridget Phillipson, hoe it it disadvantages schools in urban areas.
Cllr Ben Kind, cabinet member for children and families, said: “I understand how this is an incredibly difficult situation for all involved. It is not a process either Lambeth council or anyone in our school community want to be undertaking.
“However, Lambeth council has a responsibility to act now, to prevent the situation getting worse and to protect the future of Lambeth’s schools.
“We’re building on the action we have taken over several years and must act now to stop debts mounting and school’s futures being put in jeopardy.
“Our focus remains on supporting Lambeth’s high standard of education, and council is working tirelessly with schools to find solutions.
“This consultation is not a reflection on the dedication of our teachers or staff, but on the undeniable reality of declining pupil numbers.
“We’ve engaged with our communities in shaping these proposals, and their feedback has been crucial. The council has also written to the government, calling for immediate support to help safeguard the future of Lambeth’s schools.
“We urgently need the government to recognise the severity of this situation and provide the backing our schools deserve.”
The previous government changed the way schools are funded so they receive funding only on a “per pupil” basis, rather than actual need – creating serious financial pressures for schools with falling pupil numbers.
Nearly 1,000 (975) places, equivalent to about 33 classes, were removed from primary schools across Lambeth between 2016 and 2025.
This resulted in the total number of places falling from 3,650 to 2,675, but this is still not enough to meet the financial challenge, the council said.
“The reality is that if we don’t act to tackle these issues, we forecast our schools will be £17m in debt by March 2026,” Cllr Kind said. “This is a huge challenge, and I’d encourage as many people as possible to take part in this consultation as we grapple with this issue.”
