London's declining birth rate presents opportunities for education

Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, spoke about the challenges and opportunities from London's declining birth rate. In an interview, she said this demographic change could allow for creative solutions in providing education services to children. London has seen a drop of about 27,490 live births from 2012 to 2022. This trend is particularly noticeable in inner boroughs and is largely due to high housing costs, making it difficult for families to live in the city. Phillipson noted that fewer births are affecting school budgets because funding depends on the number of students enrolled. Despite these challenges, Phillipson emphasized the potential for utilizing unused school spaces. She mentioned plans to open more nurseries in primary schools, which could help parents seeking support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Phillipson also discussed proposed reforms for academies, allowing councils to challenge decisions made about school capacities. Critics worry this could affect strong schools' abilities to expand. However, she affirmed that the focus is on improving standards across all schools. Regarding free school meals, currently available for primary school children in London due to a policy by Mayor Sadiq Khan, the Education Secretary said the government would look into the program's evidence before making any national decisions. Phillipson welcomed an interim report reviewing the national curriculum, which discussed concerns about GCSE exam pressures on teaching. She promised that while assessments will not disappear, the government aims to ensure students receive a broad and effective education.