Schools cut reception places amid falling birth rate

Ten primary schools in Sheffield will reduce the number of places available in their reception classes from September 2026, following a fall in the birth rate.

Sheffield Council says statistics show the number of births has been falling since 2012 - and this is borne out by fewer applications for places at local primary schools.

Consequentially, it has been decided some schools will temporarily operate lower admission numbers to allow them to use resources more efficiently.

It comes as one school nursery is set to permanently close. The nursery at Springfield Primary closed in September 2023, after only 15 children were enrolled - with 34 children needed to make it financially viable.

The council says there is a growing number of surplus places in primary schools, and this trend is likely to continue over the next few years.

A report says: "Forecasts for the 2026/27 academic year suggest that the primary school population will continue to decline, and only a minority of the 136 primary schools will be unaffected.

The report states the policy of reducing the number of reception places will help schools "to remain viable during this challenging period, until demand increases towards the end of the decade".

The report stressed: "The aim is not to result in a school closure programme, but to work with schools to help them become sustainable community primary schools."

Birley Spa Primary Academy and Reignhead Primary community school will halve their admission numbers, from 60 to 30.

Concord Junior School, Lowedges Primary Academy and Wincobank Nursery and Infant Academy will reduce admissions from 60 to 45.

Rainbow Forge Primary Academy and Windmill Hill Primary Academy will both drop from 54 places, to 45.

Pipworth Community Primary will see reception places cut from 82 to 60; Deepcar St. John's CE Junior will reduce places from 73 to 60; and Nether Green Infant School will go from 75 places, to 60.

In addition, councillors are set to agree a recommendation to permanently close the nursery at Springfield Primary, following its temporary closure in 2023.

The decision follows the school's assertion that keeping the nursery open - which, at one stage, offered 52 places - was placing a major strain on its budget.

Attempts to boost nursery numbers failed to drive up the intake, and a consultation on the closure had only a 2% response rate.

A council report found "the level of engagement and response suggests the proposed permanent closure is accepted by most people within the community".

"The community wish to use the nursery space for activities, learning and support services." it stated.

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