Another South London school will close because there aren't enough kids for it to remain open.

St Martin-in-the-Fields High School for Girls in Tulse Hill, Lambeth, announced on Friday (May 12) that it will shut for most students at the end of the summer term.

Head teacher Josephine Okokon said falling pupil numbers meant it no longer made financial sense to keep the 324-year-old school open.

The amount of money schools receive from the government is determined by how many students they have. 

Pupil numbers in the borough of Lambeth, where the school is based, are not expected to increase again until after 2030, Ms Okokon said. 

In a letter announcing the school's closure published on its website, she wrote: "There has been a significant decline in the number of young people living and going to school in Lambeth, meaning that we, along with other local schools, have seen our student numbers diminish in recent years. 

"The number of pupils in Lambeth is not expected to increase for approximately eight years. Since funding for schools is awarded based on its pupil numbers, it is no longer viable for St Martin's to continue operating as a school and deliver the level of education that our young people deserve; the substantive decision has therefore been made to begin the process of closure.

"It is proposed that St Martin-in-the-Fields High School for Girls will close to all current Year 7, 8 and 9 students, effective from 31st August 2023. The school will remain open until August 2024 for current Year 10 and 12 students to complete their qualifications." Current Year 11 pupils will have finished their GCSEs but won't be able to progress to sixth form.

Schools across inner South London are suffering from falling numbers of pupils, which has been blamed on reasons as varied as Brexit, the pandemic, falling birthrates and a lack of affordable housing for families.

St-Martin-in-the-Fields is the second secondary school to announce its closure in Lambeth in a month. In mid-April, Archbishop Tenison's School in Oval revealed it would shut its doors in August due to a fall in the number of pupils applying to attend the 340-year old school.

To avoid closures, Lambeth Council is reducing places at a number of primary schools in the borough from next year and intending to merge eight schools. But the council has limited control over what secondary schools in the borough do as most, like St-Martin-in-the-Fields, are academies and outside of local authority control.

St-Martin-in-the Fields previously announced it wouldn't be taking on any new pupils moving from primary to secondary school in September due to a lack of kids in Lambeth and neighbouring boroughs like Southwark. 

Ms Okokon said the all girls schools had looked into multiple alternatives to avoid closure, including accepting boys and merging with other schools in the area. But she said none of the options "could overcome the fundamental issue of falling pupil numbers" in Lambeth. 

The school is working with Lambeth Council to find current Year 7, 8 and 9 students a place in a nearby Ofsted-rated good or outstanding school. Students intending to attend St-Martin-in-the-Fields sixth form from September are having their applications transferred to Elmgreen School in West Norwood and Dunraven School in Streatham.

A spokesperson for St Martin-in-the-Fields High School for Girls said: "It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing the closure of our school. This was not a decision made lightly. We understand that this news will cause concern for members of our school community, and are wholly committed to providing support and guidance to all impacted parties.

"St Martin's boasts a rich heritage dating back over 300 years rooted in Christian values and the nurture of our students; in accord with these values, we are dedicated to supporting our students and staff through the closure process. We would like to thank every member of the community who has been part of our school's journey."

Cllr Ben Kind, Lambeth Council's cabinet member for children and young people, said: "Parents are rightly very concerned about the pressures on the entire education system across London that are a result of an unfair national funding system, our declining birth rate, the impacts of Brexit and the ongoing housing crisis.

"Lambeth Council will continue to work with St Martin-in-the-Fields School during the school's period of engagement with the community, and representatives from Lambeth will be meeting with parents at the school to support them. When requested Lambeth Council will also support families in finding single sex faith schools."

Councillor Matthew Bryant, deputy leader of the council's Liberal Democrat opposition, said: "We've lost two schools in one month and it simply can't continue like this. Our first concern is for the pupils facing disruption at such short notice. Changing teachers, friendship groups, and travel arrangements will be deeply unsettling for many young people. 

"This academic year, the Conservative government recklessly slashed school funding by £222 per pupil in Lambeth. Backwards funding formulas and a housing crisis that pushes parents out of London mean our children and young people are left to bear the brunt of the government's incompetence."