Schools have had a cap of 27 pupils per class since 1988
Four local authority-controlled secondary schools in North London were forced to close their doors this week as teachers staged a walkout in protest against plans to increase class sizes to 30 pupils.
The affected schools—Fortismere, Gladesmore, Highgate Wood, and Hornsey School for Girls—are among the last remaining council-run secondaries in Haringey. Since 1988, these schools have operated under an agreement that capped class sizes at 27 pupils and limited teacher contact time to 80 per cent. However, headteachers now argue that the existing curriculum model is financially unsustainable and must be brought in line with national standards.
Funding crisis sparks industrial action
Parents were informed of the planned changes through letters from headteachers, who cited budget constraints as the driving force behind their decision. According to reports by Schools Week, the schools are struggling to balance their budgets and have had to take cost-cutting measures, including delaying site development projects and carefully managing new staff recruitment.
The letters explained:
“Aligning class sizes and teacher contact time with national funding levels is necessary to ensure our staffing models are financially viable and consistent with how schools operate across the country.”
National Education Union (NEU) members at the schools held their first strike on Friday, February 28, in response to the proposed changes. Meanwhile, a fifth council-run school, Park View, is being re-polled for strike action after failing to meet the 50 per cent threshold in an earlier ballot.
Union and teachers express outrage
Efe Kurtluoglu, assistant secretary of the Haringey NEU, condemned the move, calling it a breach of a long-standing agreement.
“It feels like the breaking of a contract… This agreement has been in place [almost] 40 years. Our members are angry; they want the schools to roll back these proposals. If they won’t, they need to come to the table with things we can offer our members.”
The NEU argues that larger class sizes would negatively impact both pupils and teachers, increasing workload and reducing the quality of education.
Schools struggling with budget deficits
The financial pressures facing these schools are part of a wider funding crisis affecting schools across England. Government statistics show that the four secondary schools in Haringey recorded in-year deficits of up to £416,000 in the last financial year, with teaching and support staff costs exceeding those of comparable schools.
Headteacher Patrick Cozier of Highgate Wood School outlined the financial challenges in a presentation to parents, explaining that the National Funding Formula (NFF) assumes class sizes of 30 pupils.
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“Before the introduction of the NFF, money could be diverted from the primary school sector to secondary schools to help fund their higher operating costs. But the new formula is designed to benefit schools in typically poorly funded areas, leaving Haringey worse off as a borough.”
He warned that government funding no longer provides additional support for secondary schools, putting further strain on budgets.
Impact of population decline in London
Beyond funding issues, declining student numbers have also contributed to the financial strain on these schools. Many families have left London in recent years due to high property costs, Brexit uncertainty, and the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
For instance, Park View School currently has 165 pupils in Year 7, despite having a published admission number (PAN) of 243, resulting in a £500,000 shortfall in income. The school is now considering reducing its PAN to 189.
Similarly, Hornsey School for Girls is looking to lower its PAN from 162 to 135 to adjust to the falling student population.
Council urges negotiations
Despite the ongoing strike, Haringey Council has stated that “progress is being made” in discussions and remains optimistic that a resolution can be reached.
The council urged both sides to continue negotiating, adding:
“We recognise the concerns of both staff and school leaders. We remain hopeful that a solution can be agreed upon that ensures the financial sustainability of our schools while maintaining the best possible learning environment for students.”
With further strike action potentially on the horizon, the dispute over class sizes highlights the growing funding pressures faced by state schools across London and the UK.
