London's School Place Shortage

Demographic trends including a higher-than-expected birth rate, greater rates of inward migration, and increasing numbers of parents staying in the capital after having children has led to an increasing shortage of primary school places in recent years.  As this demographic bulge moves through the school system increasing pressure will also be put on secondary schools and sixth forms.

London Councils has lobbied vigorously on behalf of London boroughs for more funding to be made available to ensure all children in the capital are guaranteed a school place.  Our Do The Maths campaign in 2009 led to £200million being given by Government to the hardest-hit boroughs to help them meet demand.

Read 'Do the maths: tackling shortages of primary school places in London' for more detailed analysis of demographic and financial data

However, the campaign has continued as although this money was very welcome in helping to alleviate the immediate difficulties facing authorities, London still faces a wider structural deficit of available places which will require significant capital investment to address.  You can read more information about our ongoing lobbying work in this area by visiting the fair funding section of our website.

Additional Funding

London Councils welcomes the announcement on 19 July 2011 that £500million is being made available nationally to fund additional school places.   We are presently preparing a representation to Government detailing the extreme need in London and will argue that a significant proportion of this funding should be directed to the capital.