Falling birth rates mean schools are closing – affecting whole communities

By Alice Bradbury, Professor of Sociology of Education, UCL
Eleanor Fagan, PhD candidate and Postgraduate Teaching Assistant, UCL Institute of Education, UCL

As another academic year ends, some schools will be closing their doors permanently due to falling numbers of children. In England, declining birth rates over the last decade have led to over 100 schools, predominantly in urban areas, permanently closing.

This relatively recent phenomenon is unprecedented in modern times. The last drop in pupil numbers, in the 2000s, was addressed through increased funding and smaller class sizes, not school closures.

The effect that school closures have on children, teachers and families is not well understood. Beyond the Department for…

Read complete article

~	After a decade leading the ACTU, what is the legacy of Sally McManus and Michele O'Neil?

~	The unasked question in the Epstein case: Were any victims stateless?

~	Ben Carroll is the new Victorian premier. He has a long and urgent to-do list – and 4 months until an election

~	Over half of Australians surveyed don’t know how the RBA is fighting inflation – making it harder to beat

~	The ban on telehealth in voluntary assisted dying doesn’t stack up. Here’s why it should be scrapped

~	Batteries are getting cheaper while gas gets pricier. Here’s why

~	Why does singing feel so good? And is it good for your health?

~	How do we know what dinosaurs looked like?

~	Why five-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar stands apart from other cycling greats

~	Teens want more advice about navigating consent but teachers’ sex ed skills are falling short