Responding to the latest blog on pupil projections in England from the NFER looking at how schools, local authorities, trusts and the government are responding to falling pupil numbers, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union, NAHT said:

"Falling pupil roles do not necessarily have to lead to school closures – and this NFER report contains some intelligent ideas about how to keep schools going when there is a dip in pupil numbers. 

“School closures can have a devastating impact, not only for the individuals attending and working directly at the schools, but for their entire community, including decisions about where people live and work and even local property prices. We also know that trends in pupil numbers can be temporary and might be reversed in the long-run, leading to a shortage of places, and already this year, we have learned that the primary school population is unlikely to fall by nearly as much as previously thought by 2028."