A London primary school teacher and NEU member
611,300 primary school places were left empty across England last year – the highest number since records began – the Institute for Government has revealed. London has been particularly hard hit, with primary schools losing on average 8.1% of their pupils. Across the capital, schools are being made to close due to falling pupil numbers – some merging and others shutting their doors for good.
This year in Hackney, the local authority announced plans to close or merge six schools. In Newham, consultation over the proposed closure of Calverton Primary School is still ongoing, while other schools in the borough face staff redundancies. The picture is bleak and deeply unfair.
Working class driven out
Many families can no longer afford to live in the city, driven out by soaring rents, stagnant wages and the rising cost of living. At the same time, falling birth rates are being used as an excuse for cutbacks and closures. Yet while some schools stand half empty, others struggle to meet the needs of a growing number of children with additional needs. Throughout all of this, CEOs of academy chains continue to be paid incredible wages – Schools Week reported this year that more than 60 CEOs earn over £220k.
Cuts and closures should not be the inevitable conclusion of this crisis. The solution lies in what teachers and trade unions have long fought for – smaller class sizes. The UK now has the largest average primary class size in Europe, a statistic that should shame any government claiming to prioritise education.
This fight cannot be won school by school. It requires a national campaign led by our trade unions. This campaign should demand investment, it should demand that our schools are kept open, and it should demand that every child receives the attention and support they deserve. Education is not a marketplace – it must be defended.
