England pilot to turn empty classrooms into community hubs
8 reported
A pilot scheme in England will provide £3.1 million to six local authorities to convert empty classrooms into community assets such as youth clubs or health centres, according to a Department for Education announcement expected this week. The policy addresses a surplus of school spaces caused by falling pupil numbers, with one forecast predicting 800 primary schools could close by 2029-30. The first conversions are expected to be operational next year. The six councils selected are Birmingham, Nottingham, Lincolnshire, West Sussex, and the London boroughs of Croydon and Lambeth, with more expected to join after the scheme launches in the autumn. The DfE stated the councils were chosen to reflect a mix of communities and test different approaches. Josh MacAlister, minister for children and families, said the pilot will give a new lease of life to empty classrooms by transforming them into youth clubs, family hubs, and other local services. The number of children under 16 in England is expected to shrink by 6% over the next decade, with primary school pupil numbers falling by 85,000 since 2019 and forecast to drop by a further 205,000 by 2028, according to the National Foundation for Education Research.
What’s reported
The Department for Education is giving £3.1 million to six local authorities for a pilot scheme to convert empty classrooms into community hubs.
The pilot targets areas with high proportions of surplus school places and a need for community facilities such as family hubs.
The six councils are Birmingham, Nottingham, Lincolnshire, West Sussex, Croydon, and Lambeth.
First conversions are expected to be up and running next year.
One forecast predicts 800 primary schools will shut by 2029-30.
Primary school pupil numbers have fallen by 85,000 since 2019 and are forecast to fall by a further 205,000 by 2028.
London has nine of the 10 local authorities with the largest declines in primary school pupils.
The National Audit Office recently criticized the government for having “no clear approach” to handle the decline in school numbers.
Key figures
Josh MacAlister, minister for children and families
A spokesperson for the Local Government Association (not named)
National Foundation for Education Research (cited as source of pupil number forecasts)
National Audit Office (cited as criticizing government approach)
Sources: The Guardian
