Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Falling Pupil Rolls

Monday 29 January 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Florence Eshalomi raised concerns about declining pupil rolls in London due to the cost of living crisis and housing affordability.
  • The government is adjusting funding allocation to support schools facing decreasing pupil numbers, providing local authorities with flexibility in managing surplus places.
  • Tim Loughton highlighted issues in West Sussex with secondary school place demand and asked for further discussion with the government.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Florence Eshalomi Labour (Co-op) Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Education Economy Housing
Context

Declining school rolls in London are a significant issue, exacerbated by the cost of living crisis driving families out of the city. A report by London Councils highlights worsening conditions, and Lambeth faces a 17.5% drop in demand for reception places over five years.

Question

What steps she is taking to support schools with decreasing pupil rolls given that declining school rolls in London is a big issue I have raised in the House on multiple occasions. The cost of living crisis and housing affordability are driving families out, leading to significant drops like a 17.5% decrease in Lambeth's reception places over five years. Archbishop Tenison's School closed last year due to these challenges.

Answer from Damian Hinds

Recognising demographic changes leading to falling rolls, funding allocation is being adjusted to support decreasing pupil numbers. Local authorities are provided with flexibility in allocating funds for revenue costs associated with reducing surplus places.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The cost of living crisis and protection of education assets were not addressed specifically.

How: Changing How The Growth And Falling Rolls Funding Is Allocated

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Q2 Florence Eshalomi Labour (Co-op) Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Education Economy Housing
Context

A new report by London Councils highlights worsening conditions for declining school rolls, with Lambeth facing a 17.5% drop in demand for reception places over the next five years and Archbishop Tenison's School having closed last year.

Question

The declining school rolls issue in London is significant; families are being driven out due to housing affordability and cost of living crisis leading to drops like Lambeth's 17.5% decrease in reception places over five years. Archbishop Tenison's School closed last year. We need urgent action on funding and protecting education assets.

Answer from Damian Hinds

The bulge in primary school numbers moving to secondary schools is being addressed through planning ahead with local authorities, who are looking into amalgamations where necessary. We have pupil place planning advisers in each region and school resource management advisers working directly with schools.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Urgent action on protecting education assets was not specified.

How: Working With Local Authorities, Planning Ahead

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Q3 Tim Loughton Con
Education Local Government
Context

West Sussex has been rated a D-minus for calculating demand for secondary school places. Last year, more than 50 children from one school were moved to an unapplied-for school due to shortages, and the situation is expected to worsen next year.

Question

As we share a local authority, West Sussex gets a D-minus rating for calculating demand for secondary school places; last year, over 50 students were moved out of district to an unchosen school. The shortage continues despite help from Baroness Barran and the regional schools commissioner. Will the Minister intervene?

Answer from Damian Hinds

The shift in numbers from primary to secondary schools is being planned for, and I am willing to meet my hon. Friend to discuss further.

Not addressed: The specific request for intervention was not addressed.

How: Planning Ahead, Willing To Meet

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