Drop in London primary applications puts future of some schools at risk

Children at St Scholastica's school, Hackney. The borough is considering closing or merging six of its primary schools due to shrinking pupil numbers. Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian

Applications for reception class places in London have fallen by 2.67% this year, according to new data, fuelling concerns about the financial viability of some primary schools, which may be forced to merge or close as pupil numbers decline.

London Councils, the cross-party group representing local authorities in the capital, said there had been a “significant” decrease in the number of applications for reception classes for the start of the academic year in September.