Eight primary schools could be forced to close or merge due to a sharp drop in the number of children in Lambeth.
The south London borough facing a “stark challenge from falling enrolments,” with nearly 1,000 less children going to primary school in the area compared to 10 years ago, the council has said.
Lambeth has blamed the drop in pupil numbers in London on Brexit, the cost of living crisis and the birth rate in the capital dropping by a third.
It has said urgent action is need and put forward plans to close Fenstanton Primary School and Holy Trinity Church of England (CfE) School, as well as proposals to merge six other schools.
The number of pupils at Fenstanton Primary School halved from 90 to 45 between the 2019/20 and 2022/23 school years.
Meanwhile Holy Trinity had 218 pupils on roll in Reception to Year 6 out of a possible 360 spaces in January 2024.
Christ Church Primary School could merge with St John the Divine CfE Primary School, while Glenbrook Primary School could merge with Kings Avenue Primary School.
St John’s Angell Town CfE Primary School could also be combined with St. Saviour’s school under the plans, which are currently under consultation.
Ten years ago 3,243 children were starting at primary schools in the borough but in January the figure had dropped nearly 30 per cent to 2,324 pupils.
There are more than 500 missing pupils in reception classes alone, the equivalent of 18 classrooms, Lambeth has warned.
Lambeth councillor Ben Kind said the plans to shut the schools are due to the “undeniable reality of declining pupil numbers”.
Cllr Kind, Lambeth’s cabinet member for Children and Families, said: “I understand how this is an incredibly difficult situation for all involved.
“It is not a process either Lambeth Council or anyone in our school community want to be undertaking.
“However, Lambeth Council has a responsibility to act now, to prevent the situation getting worse and to protect the future of Lambeth’s schools.”
He added that the council must act now to prevent debts mounting and school’s futures being put at risk.
Some 975 places, which equates to roughly 33 classes, were removed from primary schools across Lambeth between 2016 and 2025, council data shows.
Cllr Kind said: “Lambeth Council is working tirelessly with schools to find solutions. This consultation is not a reflection on the dedication of our teachers or staff, but on the undeniable reality of declining pupil numbers.”
He added: “The reality is that if we don’t act to tackle these issues, we forecast our schools will be £17 million in debt by March 2026.
“This is a huge challenge, and I’d encourage as many people as possible to take part in this consultation as we grapple with this issue.”
