London borough announces closure of two more schools as birth rate continues to drop

Two more inner London schools are set to shut for good, a borough has confirmed, due to plummeting numbers of children living in the city.

The continuing drop in the capital’s birth rate has been blamed for the closures of Fenstanton Primary and Holy Trinity CofE Primary Schools in Tulse Hill.

Lambeth council said “significant changes” to the population had forced the decision, adding that Brexit and the cost of living crisis had contributed to lower numbers of children and “the pandemic has led families to move away from central London”.

The move was first proposed in November last year, but governors attempted to put forward plans to save the schools.

However, the town hall this week said the ideas had been assessed and “found to be unviable, due to low parental preference and low pupil numbers”.

It was determined that it “would not put the school on a financial footing that would safeguard pupil’s education”, the council said.

Ben Kind, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Children, said: “We know how upsetting and difficult school changes can be – for pupils, parents, staff and the wider community.

“No one wants to see a school close, and these decisions are never taken lightly.

“But we have to face the reality of what’s happening with honesty and fairness to all school communities in Lambeth.”

The south London borough is facing a “stark challenge from falling enrolments,” with nearly 1,000 fewer children going to primary school in the area compared to 10 years ago.

The local authority has also put forward proposals to merge St Bede’s Catholic Infant School and St Bernadette Catholic Junior School in a bid to combat falling student numbers.

St Bede's Catholic Infant and Nursery School would extend to include older year groups under Lambeth Council’s plans (St Bede's Catholic Infant and Nursery School)

Mr Kind added: “Since 2022, we’ve done everything we can to avoid closures – closely monitoring the data, reducing admission numbers and helping schools work together.

“We’ve also looked carefully at every proposal and alternative put forward, working with our communities as we find the best way to deal with this crisis – including whether there was a workable alternative for these two schools.

“But with fewer children starting school each year and birth rates continuing to decline, the situation has become more urgent.

“When schools are under-filled, they get less funding, and can’t afford to keep the same teachers, support staff or facilities. That puts their future at risk.”

Fenstanton Primary and Holy Trinity CofE Primary Schools will stop taking on new pupils from June and shut for good next year.

The Standard has revealed that schools are closing or merging in Lambeth, Islington, Newham and Hackney as boroughs battle with plummeting pupil numbers.

Vauxhall and Camberwell Green MP Florence Eshalomi said many families were being forced to leave the capital because they were no longer able to pay their rent.

She told a meeting at City Hall earlier this month that London was the “centre of the housing crisis” and warned: “The cost of living is driving families literally out of London.”