Some schools are having to merge classes due to falling pupil numbers, bosses say
Some schools are having to merge classes together in response to in response to falling pupil numbers, education chiefs have warned.
Lincolnshire County Council’s schools’ (LCC) forum were told that schools are receiving less funding – and may have to make budget cuts – as a knock-on effect of a lower birth rate.
At a meeting on Thursday, April 23, Mark Popplewell, strategic finance leader for children’s services at the county council, said: “In terms of Lincolnshire, we have seen significant reorganisations dating back a number of years.
“We’re seeing lower numbers coming through at the moment due to circumstances regarding pupil numbers overall and lower birth rates.”
Mr Popplewell warned that some schools would have to make cuts in order to maintain a balanced budget.
He added: “Unfortunately for those schools, those schools will need to manage that downward reduction in the number of roles – and this is what we are seeing within the sector – in terms of managing the number of class sizes and operational efficiencies as well.”
Schools receive money based on the number of pupils registered on their rolls – often known as per-pupil or formula funding.
This directly links income to pupil numbers, meaning that schools with more pupils get more funding.
The Government sometimes offers temporary funding to schools to manage short-term financial pressure while student numbers are expected to rise again.
Mr Popplewell went on to say that Lincolnshire hasn’t seen a significant fall in pupil numbers for a number of years, but a ‘change in dynamics’ relating to a fall in birth rates had led to this becoming more of an issue for schools across the county.
Laura Martin, headteacher of St George’s Church of England Primary School in Stamford, suggested that schools could start introducing a cap on their class sizes to ensure that schools can cope with these additional cost pressures.
She said: “I just wondered what consideration has been given or if there is any scope to be looking at temporary caps for where there are falling roles in schools?
“Becuase we’ve been in a situation – and we’re seeing local schools where classes are being amalgamated – but we have to maintain our space in the year group because the pan (published admission number) is 30 – which means if any children then join that year group or that class over the course of the course of the year, we have to ensure that they have got space.
“But that puts additional pressure on school finances – so I don’t know whether there’s scope to look at temporary caps where those fall in roles are happening to try and support schools with managing that financial difficulty from the year groups that are falling?”
Martin Smith, strategic leader for children’s services at LCC, said he would go away and look at the matter.
He added that the county council would ‘consult’ on any proposed changes before any decisions were made.