West Northamptonshire faces thousands of empty school places

Falling birth rates have created thousands of empty school places in West Northamptonshire. The local council reports that up to 25% of reception spots are unfilled. There is concern this trend will continue, with forecasts suggesting a decline in student numbers for the next five years. Currently, one in ten primary school places is vacant. In some areas, levels of surplus reach as high as 30%. The Department for Education usually recommends having only 3 to 5% of places empty to maintain school flexibility. At a recent council meeting, Ben Pearson, an education director, said schools may soon face financial difficulties. This could lead to job losses if the situation does not improve. The data shows there are about 855 extra spaces in secondary schools and nearly 3,900 unfilled spots in primary schools. The rise in home education is also notable, with 1,169 children being taught at home. Since September 2024, 329 students have withdrawn from school. The council is now more cautious about approving new school projects that could affect existing ones. Pearson mentioned the council has improved its forecasting accuracy to 98%, as verified by the Department for Education. He noted that the extra classroom space could be used for special educational needs (SEND) and alternative education, which could create new opportunities.