Four primary schools will close at the start of the next school year “due to significant decline in the number of school-aged children” in Hackney.
Hackney Council said the housing crisis, Brexit and the pandemic were some of the reasons for families leaving the capital.
Lower birth rates and the cap on housing benefits, were also given as reasons for the decrease in numbers.
Hackney Council agreed to close or merge six schools in the borough at a cabinet meeting on Monday, after plans were first announced in March.
De Beauvoir and Randal Cremer primary schools will close in September 2024 while Colvestone Primary School will merge with Princess May Primary School.
Colvestone pupils will have the option to move to Princess May school.
Baden Powell Primary School will also merge with Nightingale Primary School, with Baden Powell pupils having the option to move to Nightingale school.
The council said the plans are in response “to an ongoing, significant decline in the number of school-aged children, observed all across London”.
Hackney Council said: “There are simply not enough children in the borough and neighbouring areas seeking places at Hackney primary schools, and this is forecast to remain a problem in the following years.
“Despite Hackney building new homes, the expected number of additional school-aged children will be insufficient to have any significant impact.”
There are currently over 600 empty places in reception classes alone in Hackney schools.
The council added that the declining number pupils has had a huge impact on school budgets, with funding often driven by the number of pupils a school has.
The 58 primary schools in the borough were missing more than £30 million in funding in 2022-23 compared to when classrooms were full.
Hackney deputy mayor Anntoinette Bramble said the decision to shut the schools “brings with it a deep feeling of loss”.
The councillor, who is also the cabinet member for education, said: “We know schools are much more than places where children and young people go to get an education, they are a core part of the local community.
“Following what the data tells us means that last night we had to make an incredibly difficult decision. But this is the only way to ensure that we can minimise the long term negative impact on Hackney education and more widely on the Council’s budget, at a time of extreme financial pressure.
“None of this is due to any fault of our schools, their leadership teams or staff. The schools that will be closing have gone above and beyond to ensure that the falling rolls have the least possible negative impact on the quality of education, and I would like to thank once again their exceptional leaders for their tireless work, kindness and compassion.”
