Issue

School Place Shortage

37 stories · discussed at 198 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are currently addressing the provision of special educational needs and disabilities support and the delivery of Education, Health and Care Plans.

Kingston upon Thames' Schools Forum discussed the 2026-27 finance update and the SEND Futures Plan in September 2026, approving the continuation of the cluster model for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support. In July 2026, a report to Bexley's Children's Services and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted a slight dip in the delivery of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) within the statutory 20-week timeframe.

Bexley's Children's Services is also undergoing a transformation programme, the Future Bexley Children's Transformation programme, aiming for £1.98 million in savings by March 2027 through a commissioning redesign. This topic, concerning insufficient school places to meet demand, is scheduled for discussion at Bexley's Community Safety Scrutiny Project Sub Group and Hammersmith and Fulham's Licensing Sub-Committee on September 30, 2026.

Further discussions on the school place shortage are scheduled for Tower Hamlets' Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Sub Committee on October 5, 2026. Hounslow's Cabinet Member Single Member Decision is also scheduled for October 6, 2026, where the topic will be on the agenda.

Key facts

  1. Bexley's Children's Services and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted a slight dip in EHCP delivery in July 2026. Source
  2. Bexley's Future Bexley Children's Transformation programme aims for £1.98 million savings by March 2027. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 4

  1. Redbridge Schools Face Funding Crisis Due to Declining Student Numbers 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... Redbridge 20 January 2026
  2. Harrow Council to Discuss School Place Planning Harrow Council is set to address school place planning at its upcoming Cabinet meeting on 18 December 2025. The council is proactively reviewing its school organisation and... Harrow 22 December 2025
  3. K&C Schools Face £1.2M Drop in Reserves by 2026 Kensington and Chelsea schools are projected to see a £1.2 million decrease in their reserves by March 2026, according to a report presented at the Royal Borough of Kensington... Kensington and Chelsea 22 November 2025
  4. Haringey Consults on Reducing School Admission Numbers Haringey Council is considering reducing school admission numbers in response to declining demand for places. The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 11 November... Haringey 16 November 2025
  5. Debate Over Fate of Historic Altamira Villa Debate has ignited over the future of the historic Altamira villa in Brent, as the council considers its role in the redevelopment of the 1 Morland Gardens site. The council is... Brent 16 September 2025
  6. Merton Council Grapples with Declining Primary School Enrollment and Surplus Places Merton Council is grappling with difficult decisions regarding primary school places as demand continues to fall, according to a recent meeting of the Children and Young People... Merton 14 September 2025
  7. Merton Children's Services Retain 'Outstanding' Ofsted Rating Merton Council's children's services have once again been recognised as 'Outstanding' following an Ofsted inspection in July, maintaining the rating from the previous... Merton 14 September 2025
  8. Waltham Forest faces £31.4M budget overspend Waltham Forest is grappling with a significant budget overspend of £31.4 million, according to a recent report presented to the Budget Scrutiny Committee. Like many other local... Waltham Forest 8 September 2025