Change in primary pupil numbers, 2018–19 to 2024–25, compared to unfilled place rate, 2023–24, by LA and planned change to primary capacity by 2026–27

Source: Institute for Government analysis of DfE, 'Schools, pupils and their characteristics', 2024–25 and DfE, 'School capacity', 2023–24.Notes: Analysis covers England; the Isles of Scilly and City of London are excluded. Data covers pupils, places or planned places in state-funded mainstream primary schools. Pupil number data covers pupils aged four to 15, planned capacity and spare capacity data covers places in Reception to Year 11. Planned capacity shows net planned changes in permanent places by 2026–27, as reported by local authorities in summer 2024. Some local authorities have changed their planned capacity since summer 2024, but more up-to-date data is not yet available. According to DfE, planned capacity only includes projects "with a high degree of certainty of going ahead", and does not include changes planned through DfE programmes, such as the free school programme.Get the data Download image
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