The schools have requested a reduction because of falling rolls and birth rate changes

Children sit on a carpet listening to a story in a primary school — Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Three Barnet community primary schools have proposed reducing their published admission numbers due to falling rolls and existing reduced operating numbers.

Deansbrook Infant School proposes reducing admissions from 90 children to 60. Moss Hill Infant School proposes a reduction from 120 children to 90 and Wessex Gardens School proposes a reduction for 60 children to 30.

The fall in demand reflects the London-wide decline in the birth rate since 2012, and changes in migration patterns. The proposed reduction in intake is intended to provide stability and make the most efficient use of resources.

Barnet Council is the admission authority for 39 community primary schools and Friern Barnet Secondary School. The council forecasts that demand for primary school places will continue to fall in the borough until the end of the decade.

The council is running a consultation on these changes which is open until 31st January 2024. The results of the consultation will be shared with school governors before they decide whether to instruct the council to proceed with reduced numbers. The consultation can be found here.

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