The capital is facing a drop in demand for school places, with a declining birth rate the main reason, according to London Councils. A 20% decrease between 2012 and 2022 translated to 27,490 fewer live births.
Local authorities have cited a lack of affordable family housing, Brexit and the cost of living as contributing factors.
As part of the National Funding Formula, schools receive central government money per pupil, with some councils forced to close schools with too few pupils as a result.
Figures obtained by this paper show that across Haringey, 70 state-run schools are under capacity, some by more than others.
Five are over capacity but by tiny margins.
Hornsey School for Girls has the highest number of unfilled spaces with only 720 pupils for a capacity of 1,615. This means a total of 895 empty places, – more than half at 55.42%
St Mary’s CofE Primary School has 300 unfilled spaces – 47.62%. There are 630 places but only 330 pupils to fill them.
Welbourne Primary School is under by 253 pupils (40.16%). It also has 630 places, with 377 pupils.
Of the five oversubscribed schools, St Thomas More Catholic School has 1,260 places and 1,276 pupils.
Alexandra Park School is 86 over capacity. The school can take 1,760 pupils but has 1,846 children attending.
Fortismere School is another popular choice. It has a capacity for 1,804 pupils and has 1,807.
