A falling rolls crisis that has forced London councils to consider closing and merging primary schools is making its way into the secondary phase, a new report has warned.
Research by London Councils found the capital’s secondary schools could have 4,000 fewer pupils joining in the next four years, equating to 134 classes and a 4.3 per cent drop in demand for year 7 places between 2024 and 2027.
Last year, the predicted drop was 3.5 per cent. Over the same period, secondary pupil numbers nationally are only due to fall by just 0.77 per cent.
The problems in some boroughs are more severe than others. One area faces a 12.8 per cent drop in year 7 pupils, while another will see an 8.9 per cent rise.
