Responding to new figures showing the number of pupils in primary school is expected to fall by more than 200,000 by 2028, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the school leaders’ union, the NAHT said:

“Falling pupil numbers and their impact on school finances are understandably a concern when funding is worked out on a per pupil basis, and budgets are already stretched.

“These projections suggest the fall in rolls may not be as steep as previously predicted, which should be seen as positive, but we should not lose sight of the fact that primary school pupil numbers are still expected to decline quite significantly over the coming years.

“We would encourage the new government to see this as an opportunity not to reduce funding, but to invest in schools and their staff . This could include offering smaller classes and more targeted help for pupils who need it, maintaining existing staffing levels, and cutting intolerable levels of workload for teachers and school leaders at a time when the profession is a facing a huge recruitment and retention crisis.

“Labour has already pledged in its manifesto to use spare space in primary schools to help expand nursery provision, supported by funding, and investment is also needed in the early years workforce.”