“Funding is so tight in primary schools that they are highly exposed to severe financial risks by even small reductions in the number of pupils on their rolls.
“We’d like to see the government provide some additional support to help protect them from the impact of demographic changes which mean that many schools in many areas of the country are seeing a sharp decline in pupil numbers.
“Primary schools are a pivotal part of their communities, and the sad reality is that their current predicament will mean that many more are likely to close over the next few years unless there is action to prevent this from happening.
“This demographic reduction will also soon hit secondary schools, and the government needs to give thought now about a funding model which improves the sustainability of the education system in light of these population changes.”