The number of children expected to enrol in primary one classes in Glasgow is expected to drop over the next 10 years according to new figures. 

A report being presented to members of the city administration committee later this week shows that while the primary age population has been increasing over the past decade has had a “consequential effect” on secondary school aged population.

Now primary school roll projections are forecasting a drop over the next 10 years. 

Glasgow City Council has been following the national guidance to re-determine the capacities of their primary and secondary schools and their maximum P1 and S1 intakes. 

Last year a total of 5724 P1 enrolments were processed for the start of this year’s session in August 2024 while 5825 P7 transitions for S1 in August 2024 were made.

A total of 3792 placing requests were received, of which 52% were for primary 1 and 48% were for S1. 

As it stands the maximum class sizes for each stage are as follows: 25 pupils for primary one, 30 pupils for primary two and three and 33 pupils for primary four to seven.  In composite classes there was a maximum of 25 students with 7011 children expected to enrol in primary one for 2025/26.

Meanwhile in secondary schools, the maximum capacity for S1 and S2 and S3 to S6 was 22 and 30 pupils respectively. 

A report presented to members states: “In response to the predicted changes in the school age population across the city over the coming decade and beyond, there is a need to manage the education estate effectively at both strategic and operational levels to ensure that there is adequate capacity to meet the changing demand for places in the city’s primary and secondary schools.

“The primary age population has been increasing over the last ten years with the future consequential effect on the secondary school aged population. Primary school roll projections are forecasting a 9% decrease in primary school rolls over the next 10 years.”