Plans to cut pupil places due to falling numbers
Parents invited to share views on proposal for The Disraeli School in High Wycombe
A consultation is underway about reducing pupil places at The Disraeli School in High Wycombe as admissions across the town have continued to decline.
Buckinghamshire Council has revealed projections showing between 110 and 200 surplus reception places over the next four years, with schools in the west of High Wycombe most affected.
The Disraeli School, which currently has 90 reception places, has requested its intake be reduced to 60 starting in 2027 due to financial challenges caused by falling pupil numbers.
Carl Jackson, Buckinghamshire Council’s cabinet member for education and children’s services, explained the situation: “While the school’s current admission number is 90, the number of reception children joining has declined each year over the past three years, and there are currently only 65 children in Reception.
“Of these, just over half are from the school’s catchment area, and all local schools have met their catchment applications. Having class sizes of around 22 pupils is not cost-effective for a school, so a reduction is being proposed.”
The Disraeli School currently has 681 pupils enrolled, against a capacity of 678, but reception numbers have steadily declined.
Public consultation on intake reduction
Parents and carers are being encouraged to share their views on the proposed reduction, with Buckinghamshire Council confirming the consultation will remain open until 26th January 2026.
The council says responses will be reviewed before a decision is expected at the end of February 2026. If approved, the change will apply to children starting reception at The Disraeli School from 2027.
No changes to catchment areas or admission rules for other schools in the county are being proposed.