‘The community is in the fabric of the building’: as UK pupil numbers fall, what will happen to empty schools?

More than 90 primary schools in England were to close or were at risk of closure. Photograph: Carl Recine/Reuters

Jo Riley could not face staying in London for the start of the new school year. She was the headteacher of Randal Cremer primary school in Hackney for 11 years before it was forced to close at the end of August due to falling pupil numbers.

“Not being there in September is one of the hardest things,” said Riley. “I had to run away from London at the start of term. I couldn’t bear not being on the gate, seeing our kids.”