Redbridge schools are facing a significant decline in student numbers, a trend projected to lead to substantial funding cuts. The Children and Young People Policy Development Committee met on Thursday, January 15, 2026, to discuss the implications of falling school rolls across the borough.

The demographic shift, attributed to a general London-wide trend including factors such as living, exiting from the European Union, is expected to result in a considerable number of vacant school places by 2032. Specifically, the borough anticipates 460 primary schools with vacancies, and in secondary schools, there will be the equivalent of 540 empty spaces in year seven, which is the equivalent of 18 classes. As school funding is allocated per pupil, these vacancies directly impact school budgets. It is estimated that just seven vacancies per primary school could result in a loss of £32,000 per year group, and for a small primary school, this could amount to a £225,000 deficit. The minimum funding level for a primary school child in 2024-2025 was £4,000.

Councillor Alex Holmes, Chair of the Committee, highlighted that the issue is not uniform across Redbridge. He noted that while some areas face a surplus of places, his constituents in the north of Ilford still experience a shortage, forcing children to travel long distances to attend schools elsewhere in the borough. He stressed the importance of accurately measuring parental choice and demand, particularly in areas with persistent high demand.

Councillor Anne Marie Sachs pointed out that schools in Chadwell and Wanstead remain oversubscribed, with new housing developments expected to further increase demand in Chadwell. She questioned the extent to which these developments are factored into future school place planning and suggested a review of admissions criteria, especially for academies like Chadwell Heath Academy with limited catchment areas.

Council officers acknowledged the complexity of the situation and are developing a three-to-five-year strategy to manage these changes, as detailed in the Public reports pack. However, no additional funding has been allocated for this initiative. The council is actively contacting schools with potential financial risks and collaborating with governing bodies to manage their budgets.