Falling birth rate could see schools close

A mother says she fears closing schools because of falling birth rates will prove to be a "short-sighted" move.

Norfolk County Council has warned that with the number of children being born is falling significantly, with more schools likely to be shut down.

"The reality is that with nearly a third fewer pupils, we will likely need fewer schools," said Penny Carpenter. the cabinet member for children's services.

But Amira Stallion, who has campaigned against the closure of her sons' primary, said school places would be needed with major housing developments planned for the county.

"I think this is a quick decision that's going to have a long-term effect," she said.

The drop in the UK's birth rate is a growing concern for authorities and education leaders.

Only 591,072 babies were born in 2023, fewer than in any year since 1977.

In Norfolk, a county council report explained that almost 9,500 children started secondary school at the beginning of this school year.

However, at the start of next term, around 7,500 will be joining primary school.

That number is expected to fall even further – to 7,000 – in 2027.

"We are going to see a large number of surplus places in our primary schools," said Carpenter.

The problem for schools is that the bulk of their funding depends on how many pupils they have - fewer children means less money.

"The financial situation in schools is very tight anyway," explained Sarah Shirras, the executive headteacher of The Hive Federation – which runs two primary schools in Norwich and Brundall.

"If we have a class that has only 26 children, it still needs a teacher, it still needs a teaching assistant – and that doesn't cost me any less than a class with 30 children in it.

"But those four children would mean you're down about £16,000 a year. So it's a huge difference as they work their way through the years."

The falling pupil numbers mean that schools are more likely to be closed down for not having enough children - like Great Dunham Primary.

Mrs Stallion's two sons attend the school and she has campaigned against plans to merge it with Beeston Primary, more than three miles away.

The campaign was unsuccessful and the school will shut at the end of this term.

She said it was particularly hard on her older son who has additional needs and felt more comfortable in a small school "with a family feel".

"It's had a huge impact on his mental health," she said.

"All he's doing is worrying about where he's going to be."

The Unity Education Trust, which runs Great Dunham, said it projected pupil numbers to fall from 42 to just 13 in five years.

"The decision to amalgamate was driven by several factors, including declining pupil numbers, the long-term financial sustainability of the school, and our commitment to providing the best educational opportunities," said the trust's chief executive Glyn Hambling.

But Mrs Stallion believes there will be a need for a school in the area in years to come.

"I feel like it's short-sighted.

"I know there's massive developments planned around Great Dunham that will be housing families who will need schools."

Penny Carpenter said the council would be working with school leaders on how to address the problem of a falling pupil population.

"It won't be easy," she admitted.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Education said it was "increasing school funding to £69.5bn by 2028-29, with record levels of per-pupil funding."

"We have awarded 300 primary schools £37m to repurpose their spare space, as part of our school-based nurseries roll out which will increase access to early education from this September," she added.

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