Commenting on new data from the EPI showing that the biggest drops in pupil premium numbers are in London, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

"EPI’s report findings confirm what school leaders have been experiencing on the ground - unpredictable pupil demographic changes are making long-term school place planning increasingly difficult. We need a joined-up strategy that puts pupils and communities first, avoiding the temptation to take knee-jerk, reactive decisions that undermine stability.

"Falling primary numbers means some schools will struggle with insufficient funding, and we are seeing schools closing. Small schools are particularly being affected. Pupil numbers vary hugely across different regions and sectors, with some primaries struggling with lack of numbers but others - in areas of intense house building, for example - over-subscribed. There is huge pressure on special school places, with mainstream schools supporting significant numbers of pupils with SEND who have been given a special school place but for whom there is no place available.

"Rather than reducing funding or closing schools, we would urge the government to continue to invest and support local authorities to maintain staffing and resources. This could build capacity for greater SEND inclusion, and enable schools to offer smaller classes and more targeted help, as well as giving an opportunity to reduce problematic levels of workload for school staff."