Nearly half of Westminster's primary schools are running a budget deficit, with one school more than £1.2 million in the red, MyLondon has reported. Council data shows 14 out of 34 primary schools in the City of Westminster are in deficit, driven partly by declining birth rates and families leaving Central London, with over a quarter of primary school places in the borough currently empty. St George's Hanover Square CofE Primary School reported the largest deficit, reaching £1,236,000 as of the end of March this year, followed by Soho Parish CofE Primary School at £995,000. Total school balances for Westminster as a whole increased slightly over the year, from £2.5 million to £2.503 million, meaning the borough's primary schools remain collectively in the green even as individual schools face significant shortfalls.
Because school funding is directly tied to pupil numbers, falling enrolment reduces a school's budget even though its running costs do not fall at the same rate. Westminster City Council is asking the Government to give inner-city schools with falling pupil numbers the same support already available to small rural schools, which can receive up to £57,100 a year in extra funding.
Cllr Hannah Galley, Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said:
"Schools across Westminster are facing significant financial pressures due to declining birth rates, demographic change and the high cost of living in Central London, which has led many families to relocate. These pressures are particularly acute for smaller schools, where falling pupil numbers can have a disproportionate impact on financial sustainability. That's why I've written to the Education Secretary calling for small inner-city schools facing falling rolls to receive the same support available to small rural schools, alongside multi-year funding settlements that would give schools greater financial certainty and stability. Our schools are at the heart of their communities, and we want to ensure they can continue to thrive for future generations."
Nearly half of Westminster's primary schools are in deficit with one of them £1.2m in the red
More than a quarter of Westminster’s primary school places are empty which is having a knock-on impact on their budgets
Cllr Hannah Galley, explains:
"Schools across Westminster are facing significant financial pressures due to declining birth rates, demographic change and the high cost of living in Central London, which has led many families to relocate.
"These pressures are particularly acute for smaller schools, where falling pupil numbers can have a disproportionate impact on financial sustainability.
"That's why I've written to the Education Secretary calling for small inner-city schools facing falling rolls to receive the same support available to small rural schools, alongside multi-year funding settlements that would give schools greater financial certainty and stability.
"Our schools are at the heart of their communities, and we want to ensure they can continue to thrive for future generations."
You can read Katherine Gray's article for MyLondon in full on their website.
