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Empty school places reach 758,000 Empty school places reach 758,000
(30 minutes later)
The number of surplus school places in England has risen to 758,000 - the highest level since 1998.The number of surplus school places in England has risen to 758,000 - the highest level since 1998.
This is the equivalent of more than 2,000 average-sized primary and 250 secondary schools lying empty.This is the equivalent of more than 2,000 average-sized primary and 250 secondary schools lying empty.
While there has been political debate about the pressure on over-subscribed schools, the overall number of empty desks has continued to climb.While there has been political debate about the pressure on over-subscribed schools, the overall number of empty desks has continued to climb.
Both the government and opposition are committed to making it easier for more schools to be set up by parents.Both the government and opposition are committed to making it easier for more schools to be set up by parents.
But these figures show that while parents are struggling to get children into the most desirable schools there is a growing surplus in the overall supply of places.But these figures show that while parents are struggling to get children into the most desirable schools there is a growing surplus in the overall supply of places.
Birth rateBirth rate
This means that there are now hundreds of schools around the country with surpluses above 25% - and the government has previously warned that schools with this many empty places were not an effective use of funding.This means that there are now hundreds of schools around the country with surpluses above 25% - and the government has previously warned that schools with this many empty places were not an effective use of funding.
In Birmingham there are 38 primary schools which have more than 25% surplus, in Durham there are 56, in Norfolk there are 60 and in Lancashire there are 90 such schools. Southampton has five secondary schools with surpluses above this threshold.In Birmingham there are 38 primary schools which have more than 25% surplus, in Durham there are 56, in Norfolk there are 60 and in Lancashire there are 90 such schools. Southampton has five secondary schools with surpluses above this threshold.
The figures from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) show that in 2006 there were 757,623 surplus places - up by 8% since 2001.The figures from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) show that in 2006 there were 757,623 surplus places - up by 8% since 2001.
This has been driven by a decline in the birth rate since 1990 - and by choice in the admissions process, with parents looking further afield for places and unpopular schools facing falling rolls.This has been driven by a decline in the birth rate since 1990 - and by choice in the admissions process, with parents looking further afield for places and unpopular schools facing falling rolls.
Projections from the DfES show that this surplus is likely to grow even greater - with a forecast of a further fall of 47,000 primary pupils between 2006 and 2008, equivalent to a further 200 empty schools.Projections from the DfES show that this surplus is likely to grow even greater - with a forecast of a further fall of 47,000 primary pupils between 2006 and 2008, equivalent to a further 200 empty schools.
By 2010, a drop of a further 500,000 primary pupils is expected - equivalent to 2,000 more empty primary schools.By 2010, a drop of a further 500,000 primary pupils is expected - equivalent to 2,000 more empty primary schools.
The Conservative Party, in rejecting grammar schools, is arguing for a greater supply of places - including more schools set up by parents, in the manner of the charter schools in the United States.The Conservative Party, in rejecting grammar schools, is arguing for a greater supply of places - including more schools set up by parents, in the manner of the charter schools in the United States.
And the government has also repeated its commitment to making it easier for groups of parents or other community organisations to create new schools where there is demand.And the government has also repeated its commitment to making it easier for groups of parents or other community organisations to create new schools where there is demand.
Parents campaigning over a disputed admissions system in Brighton argued for "greater capacity in the system" as the answer to pressure on places.Parents campaigning over a disputed admissions system in Brighton argued for "greater capacity in the system" as the answer to pressure on places.
School closureSchool closure
But the figures show that the bottleneck in demand for the most sought-after schools is against a backdrop in which many schools could face closure because of a lack of pupils. It is about the right type of school place, rather than about volume.But the figures show that the bottleneck in demand for the most sought-after schools is against a backdrop in which many schools could face closure because of a lack of pupils. It is about the right type of school place, rather than about volume.
The majority of empty places are in primary schools - 513,512 - which means that 12% of the total places available have not been taken. There are now almost 100,000 more empty places than in 1999.The majority of empty places are in primary schools - 513,512 - which means that 12% of the total places available have not been taken. There are now almost 100,000 more empty places than in 1999.
In secondary schools, the surplus is 244,111 which represents about 7% of places - a figure that has remained relatively stable.In secondary schools, the surplus is 244,111 which represents about 7% of places - a figure that has remained relatively stable.
But the demographic change behind the primary surplus is now feeding into secondary schools.But the demographic change behind the primary surplus is now feeding into secondary schools.
So while the number of empty secondary places had been steadily declining the trend has now turned upwards.So while the number of empty secondary places had been steadily declining the trend has now turned upwards.
In recent years, the peak in empty places was in 1994, when there were more than one million in the school system.In recent years, the peak in empty places was in 1994, when there were more than one million in the school system.
Apart from the financial cost of empty places it raises the threat of school closures, particularly in rural areas where there might already be small schools vulnerable to a drop in pupil numbers.Apart from the financial cost of empty places it raises the threat of school closures, particularly in rural areas where there might already be small schools vulnerable to a drop in pupil numbers.
Between 2000 and 2004, more than 1,200 schools were closed or amalgamated with other schools.Between 2000 and 2004, more than 1,200 schools were closed or amalgamated with other schools.
There are wide regional variations - with some areas with much higher surpluses. Knowsley has 20% of primary places empty and Hammersmith and Fulham has 18% empty secondary places.There are wide regional variations - with some areas with much higher surpluses. Knowsley has 20% of primary places empty and Hammersmith and Fulham has 18% empty secondary places.
And the empty school places figures reveal the speed with which populations can migrate - with schools left behind after families have moved out.
Official figures show the loss of population from urban northern areas. In Liverpool, between 1993 and 2002, the primary school population fell by almost a quarter.
In Rochdale, there are primary schools with up to 59% and 39% empty places, as people have left the estates where the schools are situated.