Recommendation 1
DfE should build on its 2026 estates strategy to support the sector in determining how many places may not be needed and how it can be resilient for future changes.
Source · National Audit Office
Responding to changing demand for school places
This report looks at DfE’s approach to overseeing and supporting a resilient school system in England that can respond to changing pupil demand.
Published: 22 Apr 2026
Recommendations: 6
Type: Value for Money
Department: Department for Education
Recommendations
No response position recorded.
The indexed recommendations do not yet have a recorded response position. This is separate from evidence of implementation. This report was published 22 April 2026.
Recommendation 2
DfE should make better use of information provided by local authorities by using their narrative comments describing how they plan to manage unfilled and additional places needed, reviewing data on unfilled places, and setting a framework for deciding where it should be providing more support.
Recommendation 3
DfE should consider the potential wider impact that falling pupil numbers may have on educational quality and outcomes for children, including those from a disadvantaged background.
Recommendation 4
DfE should in developing its framework to help local decision-making, build its evidence base for which approaches work most effectively, drawing on learning from across local authorities and previous experiences.
Recommendation 5
DfE should establish clear processes and opportunities to identify and disseminate good practice across the sector.
Recommendation 6
DfE should work across government to ensure any wider initiatives consider the impact on school places and, alongside encouraging local collaboration, work with the government to support the sector to make best use of spare space arising from falling pupil numbers.