3 reasons why dozens of primary schools are facing closure

At least 90 primary schools in England are facing closure as a drop in pupil numbers leaves many schools unable to keep their doors open.

While one in five schools in the country are overcrowded, there are 88 primary schools that have seen pupil numbers fall to such a degree that they are at least 66% empty, according to recent data from the Department of Education.

"The Department for Education has estimated that the total pupil population will fall by over 900,000 by 2032," said the head of analysis at the Education Policy Institute, Jon Andrews.

"Most school funding is allocated on a per-pupil basis, so falling pupil numbers can lower budgets for schools."

Yahoo News UK takes a closer look at the reasons why more schools are under threat of closure:

Falling birth rates

Falling birth rates means fewer children seeking places in primary schools (and, at a later date, secondary schools). According to the Office for National Statistics, the birth rate in 2021 continued the trend seen prior to the coronavirus pandemic of overall declining birth rates in England and Wales.

Although 2021 did see a bump of 1.8% in 2020 – the first time the UK has seen an increase in birth rates since 2015 – for a total of 624,828 live births, the birth rate did not reach pre-pandemic levels and continued to indicate a pattern of decline.

As a result, primary schools are reflecting these figures, with around half of schools in London seeing a reduction in pupils compared with 2009/10.

Urban exodus

A lack of affordable housing in large cities such as London has further contributed to the drop in pupil numbers, as families are pushed into more affordable areas.

Indeed, in some areas of the country that tend to boast lower house prices, primary school numbers have actually increased – with 66% of schools in the North West and West Midlands seeing an increase in students.

However, schools in London – which is the most expensive place to live in the UK – have seen a huge decline in numbers.

Across the country, there have been 160 primary school closures since 2009, while 570 primary schools have merged, according to the DoE.

Less money for schools

Primary schools are granted money on a per-pupil basis, meaning a drop in pupils attending a given school will result in that school being given less money.

However, the DoE insisted that more money is going in to the system – suggesting a problem with how funds are spent locally.

READ MORE: London schools face crisis as pupil numbers plummet

A Department for Education spokesman told the Mail Online: "Next year, school funding will be at its highest level in history – in real terms – as measured by the IFS [Institute for Fiscal Studies], following the additional £2bn of investment for both 2023/24 and 2024/25 in the autumn statement.

"It is for local authorities and academy trusts to balance the supply and demand of school places, in line with changing demographics, as they have done for many years."

But teachers argue there is not enough money being spent on schools, and have taken a series of strike action measures demanding more pay and better working conditions.