Schools could lose funding because not enough babies are being born

Because of a borough-wide decrease in birth rate, both Norbury Manor Primary and Monks Orchard Primary Schools found themselves with too many places and not enough students to fill them.

Now a consultation is underway that, if approved, would see reception places at both schools reduced by 30 students for the 2019/20 academic year.

Headteacher at Norbury Primary, Sonia Potter said it was just a matter of some schools needing to adjust to the birth rate.

"We've got all the right facilities," she said

"We might lose some funding because of this, but it would be in line with the amount of students we would then have.

"If the birth rate suddenly went up again, it's a quick process to change things back."

A spokesman for Croydon Council said the North West and East parts of Croydon had been most affected by the decrease in birth rate.

"A large portion of funding received by schools is directly related to the number of pupils attending the school," he said.

"Too many vacancies in schools mean that schools will not receive the maximum revenue possible.

"Therefore we are proposing to reduce the number of available places to enable the schools to operate more efficiently and cost effectively."

Headteacher of Monks Orchard, Guy Fairbairn, didn't look forward to losing students, but understood that measures had to be taken.

"I don't think any school wants to cut admission numbers but I guess you have to lose those places somewhere," he said.

"We're essentially funded on a per pupil basis, so it won't change that much really."

View the full consultation document here.

All responses must be received by Wednesday, December 20.