Hounslow Council's Cabinet has approved key themes for the Hounslow School Organisation Plan 2026-2030, aiming to address declining pupil numbers and improve local school provision.
The plan, which will guide the Council's strategy for managing school places over the next five years, received approval for its core themes and communication strategy at a Cabinet meeting on Monday, March 16, 2026.
Key themes emerging from extensive resident and school stakeholder engagement include a focus on enhancing school reputation and academic standards, improving community links, and repurposing surplus school spaces for educational or community uses. There was strong opposition to using school land for housing.
Councillor Samia Chaudhary, Cabinet member for Education, Children, Skills & Employment, presented the findings, highlighting that parents prioritise educational quality, distance, and school performance when choosing a school. The engagement also revealed concerns from school staff regarding financial strain and staffing pressures due to falling pupil numbers.
Addressing Falling Pupil Numbers and Staff Concerns
Falling pupil numbers are creating financial strain and staffing pressures for schools, with staff expressing concerns about potential job losses and the impact on remaining personnel due to reduced resources. The Hounslow School Organisation Plan 2026-30 aims to mitigate these issues through a strategic assessment of school places and reorganisation. The focus will be on maintaining high-quality education, staff welfare, and job security. The council will explore flexible redeployment of space to offset future population changes and may consider school mergers or adjustments to school size, prioritising educational quality, distance to alternative schools, and overall school performance.
Repurposing Surplus School Spaces
The borough currently has a significant surplus of school places, with 2,880 in the primary phase and 897 in the secondary phase, totalling 3,815 surplus places (8.60% overall). The plan identifies Surplus Places
as a key theme, with strong support (74%) for repurposing these spaces for educational or community uses. Specific uses being considered include:
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision
- Wraparound care
- Early years services
- Community hubs
- Adult learning facilities
- Specialist education centres
- Commercial lettings to generate income while keeping sites active.
Respondents expressed strong opposition (82%) to using school land for housing, citing concerns about the permanent loss of educational or recreational space and potential overdevelopment.
Enhancing Community Links and School Reputation
The plan also prioritises Community Expectations,
recognising that parents value schools as community anchors and desire stronger links between schools and local life. Suggestions for improving these connections include:
- Schools acting as community hubs, offering services such as toddler groups, parent and child classes, after-school clubs, food banks, and health visiting hubs.
- Partnerships between schools and local groups or services.
- Encouraging intergenerational links.
- Providing support for families beyond education.
- Schools promoting their achievements more effectively to strengthen their reputation and visibility.
- Repurposing surplus school space for community-focused uses.
Improving SEND Provision
The Council acknowledges the need for enhanced SEND provision within mainstream schools. Concrete steps include the Mainstream Inclusion Partnership (MIP), which has awarded over £1.3 million in additional funding since April 2023 to support 934 children and young people in 72% of Hounslow's mainstream schools. Data indicates that children and young people supported by MIP are 70% less likely to be issued with an EHCP. A new model, SEN Inclusion Funding (SENIF), will support the implementation of Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) and inclusive practice, offering easier access to additional support and funds. Furthermore, a network of Resource Provisions will be established across the borough in mainstream schools, tailored to specific areas of need (Communication and Interaction, Social Emotional & Mental Health, Cognition and Learning, Sensory and Physical needs). These provisions will be partnered with sponsoring special schools to transfer specialist knowledge and upskill mainstream staff. Pilot programmes for primary schools launched in September 2025, creating eight Key Stage 1 places each, with plans to expand into Key Stage 2. Additional places will also be created in secondary academy schools from September 2026.
Communication Strategy
A communication strategy will be developed to promote Hounslow schools more effectively. The implementation plan includes publishing one story per week of school success on social media, using newsletters and press releases to amplify strong messages, and creating an annual calendar of events for schools to contribute content. A dedicated channel will be established for schools to regularly send news and updates for promotion.
Hounslow School Organisation Plan 2026 to 2030
Hounslow School Organisation Plan 2026-30 - Appendix 1 - SOP Consultation Engagement Report
Hounslow School Organisation Plan 2026-30 - Appendix 2 - Schools Communications Plan
