Falling pupil numbers in primary schools

Primary school pupil numbers are falling and as school leaders, you'll be all too aware of the impact that falling pupil numbers can have on your schools.

With a school's funding largely determined by the number of pupils on its roll, updated pupil number projections may have many of you preparing for potential decreases in funding.

But what do the projections tell us, and how might that differ regionally? In our latest Research Bite - and an accompanying series of blogs - we summarise the data, what it means for schools, and how schools can mitigate the impact of falling pupil numbers.

IMPN Primary School Numbers

Summary for school leaders: falling pupil numbers in primary schools

Key findings from our analysis of recently revised national pupil projections, insights on what falling pupil numbers could mean for schools, and recommendations on how schools can respond to these declines.
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Pupil Numbers Blog 6

Blog: “Just a little drop?” - Pupil numbers are falling slower than previous expectations

In the first of a series of three blogs, NFER’s Libby Tungate and Michael Scott explore how pupil numbers are changing, how the projections are also changing, and what this all means for schools.
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What Happens When Pupil Numbers Fall Blog

Blog: What happens when pupil numbers fall?

In their second blog, NFER’s Libby Tungate and Michael Scott take a more detailed look at falling pupil numbers in primary schools, the characteristics of the schools affected, and how the data suggests schools have responded.
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Fewer Pupils More Unfilled Places 3

Blog: Fewer pupils, more unfilled places, increasing deficits: What can be done?

In this final blog of the series, NFER’s Libby Tungate and Michael Scott look at what schools, local authorities, trusts and the Government can do to tackle declining pupil numbers.
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