More than 90 schools across London have closed or merged in recent years as falling pupil numbers begin to reshape education across the capital.

According to new research from London Councils, around 90 schools have closed or merged over the past five years, with the number expected to continue growing as fewer children enter the school system. The Financial Times reports that more than 90 have closed since 2019, with boroughs including Hackney and Islington among those experiencing particularly steep declines.

The problem starts with London's changing population. Birth rates have fallen considerably, while high housing and living costs have made remaining in the capital increasingly difficult for families. London Councils previously found that the number of births in the capital fell by 20% between 2012 and 2022, amounting to 27,490 fewer births.

It appears Residents weren't exactly shocked by the news.

“Not surprised! Kids be expensive”

One person commented, a short explanation that isn't far removed from concerns raised by officials.

The London Assembly has highlighted housing and childcare costs as major financial barriers facing families in the capital, while Greater London Authority analysis suggests affordability pressures and the tendency for people to relocate to cheaper areas before having children are contributing to the sharper decline seen in Inner London.

Another Resident suggested:

“Because everyone is leaving London and taking their kids with them.”

While migration is only one part of a much bigger demographic picture, families moving away from London has been identified alongside falling births as a factor behind shrinking pupil numbers.

For schools, fewer children can quickly become a financial problem. Funding is largely allocated according to how many pupils a school has, meaning empty desks can also mean thousands of pounds disappearing from budgets.

London Councils estimates falling pupil numbers could cost the capital's schools around £45 million in funding over the next four years. Schools attempting to remain viable have already reduced admission numbers, while others have faced mergers or complete closure.

And when a school does close, its building doesn't necessarily remain a school. In Hackney, two former school sites are set to become temporary accommodation for homeless families, while the former Baden Powell Primary School site is being converted to expand provision for children with special educational needs. Elsewhere, spare classrooms have been repurposed for community organisations, SEND provision and support for asylum-seeking children.

One Resident pointed out that the issue appears to extend beyond the capital, writing:

“Not just London, this is happening all over the UK... Year groups being merged... Not enough money to hire more staff... Yet a demand for more teacher.”

The consequences are also beginning to move beyond primary schools. London's primary pupil decline has been developing for years, but London Councils now expects demand for Year 7 places to fall by 3.8% between 2025/26 and 2029/30, rising to 7.6% across Inner London.

For councils, the challenge now is deciding how many schools London actually needs without making decisions that could leave communities short of places should the city's population change again.

And for families, children and teachers already caught in the middle, a falling statistic on a spreadsheet can mean something much bigger: leaving a familiar school, losing staff, combining communities or watching a school that served an area for generations close its doors.

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