Three schools in Enfield have become the latest in London at risk of closure because of falling pupil numbers. The local Conservative council has proposed closing Bishop Stopford's School, Starks Field Primary School and Suffolks Primary School in north London, citing reduced pupil numbers as making them financially challenging to operate.
Capacity and occupancy concerns
According to a council report, Bishop Stopford's School is operating at less than half its capacity, while Starks Field Primary School is below 45%. Suffolks Primary School is projected to fall below 37% occupancy by 2029.
Councils in Richmond-upon-Thames, Newham, Camden and Ealing have also proposed closing a number of local schools, citing lower birth rates across London as a key factor contributing to plummeting pupil numbers. Research commissioned by London Councils, led by Islington Council, found 90 schools in the capital have either closed or merged in the last five years.
Impact on inner London and SEND provision
Inner London schools have been particularly affected, with demand for schools in central London gradually thinning out. The pandemic saw many families move out of the city completely, and the continued cost of living crisis has made it hard for these families to return, which has had a knock-on effect on pupil numbers.
Andrea Cassius, head teacher of Suffolks Primary School, said she accepted pupil numbers were falling well below the national average, but recent investment into supporting SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) pupils was reason enough for them to remain open. Cassius said the school opened autism units for Key Stages One and Two, as well as speech and language support and other inclusion services.
Cassius said: 'We've got a huge range of needs that we meet within our school. We've been working with the borough for two years on giving the borough something that's well needed within the borough to support all of our families.'
During the summer, the council agreed to double provision for autistic children at the school, from 20 pupils to 40. A further expansion of another 20 pupils has been designated for September 2027.
Consultation and political response
Campaigners against the proposal recently gathered at Enfield Civic Centre where the future of the schools was discussed at a scrutiny committee meeting. The proposed plans were initially brought by the local council but were then 'called in' by Labour councillors.
According to Labour's call-in request, the Conservative administration's school closure report contained 'material inaccuracies and inconsistencies'. The request said it did not adequately explain why the three schools were selected for potential closure or repurposing compared to other schools experiencing similar falling numbers.
The council said it was committed to a 'fair and transparent consultation' and all three schools were identified as being at risk because of falling and projected pupil numbers, surplus places, budget pressures and the impact of reduced pupil funding. The proposals were referred to the Cabinet, and a spokesperson for Enfield Council confirmed a six-week consultation on the proposals will go ahead.
Enfield North MP Feryal Clark, who joined campaigners seeking to keep the schools open, said any proposed closure 'shouldn't be the first point of call', especially at a time when demand for SEND provision was growing across the borough. She also raised concerns about the impact on pupils at Bishop Stopford's School if the proposals were ultimately approved. 'You've got children in the middle of studying for their GCSEs and A-levels. Where are they going to go?' she said.
Cllr Una O'Halloran, London Council's executive member for children and education, said: 'Boroughs will exhaust every possible option before closing a school, but this situation is driven by factors outside our control forcing us into making tough decisions. We are doing all we can to minimise disruption to children and families, and to maintain London's impressive record of high school standards.'
She added: 'London's population has always ebbed and flowed. While pupil numbers may be declining now, the trend could well reverse in the long term. Boroughs are therefore keen to ensure our education estate is protected as much as possible and we have school sites able to meet future levels of need.'
She added that this would require the government working closer with local councils to collectively decide what happens to vacant school premises in the short to medium term. 'Boroughs would welcome support with capital costs from the government to convert closed schools into specialist provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities where there is demand.'
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: 'Decisions to close schools are made by local councils, but the Mayor recognises that the closure of any school can be a stressful experience for children, parents and staff. London's changing population and the current falling numbers of primary school pupils, particularly in inner London, reflect a range of factors, including falling birth rates, the long-term impact of Brexit, and cost-of-living challenges.'
The spokesperson added: 'The Mayor is doing all he can to support families and young people, including building more new homes for Londoners than any time since the 1930s, funding free school meals to all state primary school children, cleaning up the air young Londoners breathe and investing £30 million in youth clubs, building a better London for everyone.'
No formal decision has been made on the future of any of the three schools in Enfield, and they are subject to a consultation first.
