Empty Places Increase in England’s Secondary Schools
According to new figures released by the Department for Education, the number of unfilled places in state secondary schools in England has increased by 50.7% over the past two years. For the 2025–2026 academic year, there are 54,140 vacant places nationwide. This compares to 45,358 in 2024–2025 and 35,920 in 2023–2024.
Officials attribute the rise to a long-term decline in birth rates. The 2024 school census recorded a decrease of 59,600 in the total number of pupils across the country.
While many areas—particularly around London—have seen sharp increases in vacant places, the East Midlands was the only region to record a decline. Education unions have warned that falling pupil numbers could create significant challenges for budget planning and staff recruitment.
Officials also noted that the drop in enrolment makes it more difficult for schools to develop long-term strategies and may lead some institutions to downsize.
Country: United Kingdom Keywords: Vacant Seats, Birth Rate, Education Planning, Student Population