Swindon Borough Council says it is facing a £55.3 million funding shortfall after the Government decided not to proceed with funding for two planned schools in the New Eastern Villages.
The proposed schools at Great Stall East and Lotmead were intended to provide additional school places as thousands of new homes are built in the expanding development to the east of Swindon.
Without Government backing, the council says it will now need to find alternative ways to ensure there are enough school places to meet future demand.
The authority is reviewing its wider school place planning strategy for both the New Eastern Villages and the rest of the borough.
Among the options being considered are increasing admission numbers at existing schools where possible, expanding or adapting current school buildings to create additional capacity, and continuing discussions with the Department for Education over funding through the School Rebuilding Programme.
The council is also reassessing future pupil forecasts in light of ongoing housing growth to determine whether further investment will be required.
Councillor Kate Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said the decision was a significant setback.
“We are incredibly disappointed by the Department for Education’s decision not to move forward with two of the free schools in the New Eastern Villages, particularly given the clear and growing demand for school places in this part of Swindon.
“This decision creates additional pressure in an area where schools are already operating close to capacity and, in some cases, are planning expansion works to meet future need. It is therefore essential that we act quickly to address the implications.”
She said the council remained committed to ensuring every child could access a local school place.
“Our priority is to ensure every child in Swindon can access a good local school place. We are actively working through the implications of this decision and putting in place mitigations to maintain sufficiency as our communities grow.
“This includes working closely with schools, academy trusts and the Department for Education to explore a range of options and identify the most sustainable solutions.”
As part of its discussions with the Government, the council will continue to press for investment in local education infrastructure while seeking support for projects already linked to the School Rebuilding Programme, including Lawn Manor Academy, Wroughton Infants and Highworth Warneford.
Councillor Tomlinson said the Government’s housing ambitions made investment in education even more important.
“In the meantime, with demand for school places continuing to grow, including SEND school places, we hope that the Government will rethink its decision not to proceed with the two new free schools in the New Eastern Villages, especially when the Government expects us to meet housing targets which will result in higher pupil numbers.”
The New Eastern Villages development is expected to deliver thousands of new homes over the coming years, increasing demand for both primary and secondary school places across east Swindon.
