Lambeth: Consultation on falling pupil numbers extended

12 June 2024

Written by: Lambeth Council

News and announcements

Lambeth Council is extending the deadline for comment on the informal consultation into primary school places which has been prompted by falling numbers of children starting local schools.

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Lambeth: Consultation on falling pupil numbers extended

People leaving London due to Brexit and a one-third drop in birth rates, means fewer children are going to school in Lambeth. Councils across inner London and outside of London are facing similar issues.  

To contend with these issues and to protect the high quality of primary school education in Lambeth a small number of potential amalgamations and closures have been put to the community for feedback ahead of a formal consultation on final proposals and then a decision in the autumn. 

The current informal consultation which is giving communities a chance to have their say on initial proposals will now remain open until August 18. The consultation on the formal proposals will start when schools return in September and Lambeth Council will consider final proposals for adoption in Autumn as planned. 

Andrew Carter, Lambeth Council’s Corporate Director: Children, Families & Education, said: “This informal consultation is a really important exercise in seeking people’s views, engaging with schools and talking to union representatives. 

“There are very difficult choices we need to make as a borough and we are determined to fully engage with our communities to explain the scale of the challenge. Extending this engagement gives us more opportunity to set out the challenge and shape our formal consultation around a way forward. 

“We know that school communities need certainty about the future, and having considered the impact of a general election having been called, and looked at our overall timetable, it’s right to give people more time to have their say.”   

To have your say visit:  

https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/consultations/have-your-say-primary-school-places