Hounslow Council is set to review its school organisation plan in response to falling pupil numbers across London.
At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 8 July, councillors acknowledged a growing issue with declining enrolment, which is leading to school closures and financial strain in the capital. This decline is part of a national trend, with primary and nursery school populations peaking in 2019 and gradually falling due to continued reductions in birth rates since 2013. A larger drop in population in 2021 may have been connected to changes in government legislation, the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, according to the School Organisation Plan 2026-2030 - Report. The council will undertake a co-production exercise with schools and partners this autumn, with the aim of seeking approval for a new School Organisation Plan in spring 2026.
Councillor Samia Chaudhary, Cabinet Member for Children's Education Employment Skills, highlighted the importance of planning for the future of Hounslow schools. She noted that while pupil numbers have fallen, forecasts suggest they will stabilise. The challenge, she said, is to increase participation in local schools, and the consultation will explore how the School Organisation Plan, education providers, and wider council strategies can work together to retain pupils by making Hounslow a preferred destination for parents.
Councillor Tom Bruce, the Deputy Leader of the Council, seconded the report, recalling a time when the council was rapidly building school places to meet increasing demand. We need to find solutions for the problems we face,
he said, emphasising the need to support the school community and provide high-quality education.
The last school organisation plan in Hounslow was approved in 2011 to address rising pupil numbers at the time. The School Organisation Plan 2026-2030 - Report notes that Hounslow has historically seen pupils attend schools in other local authorities and independent schools, which impacts potential intake. The updated plan aims to address the current challenges and ensure the long-term sustainability of schools in the borough.
