The proposed schools at Great Stall East and Lotmead were intended to provide education for one of Swindon’s fastest-growing communities, where thousands of new homes are expected to be built.
The decision means the Council must now consider delivering the schools itself or identify other ways of creating enough school places as the area’s population grows.
Council officers are reviewing the authority’s wider strategy for school places across both the New Eastern Villages and the rest of the borough.
Options under consideration include increasing admission numbers at existing schools where possible, expanding current school buildings and continuing discussions with the Department for Education over funding through the School Rebuilding Programme.
Projects involving Lawn Manor Academy, Wroughton Infants and Highworth Warneford remain part of those discussions, while updated pupil forecasts are also being assessed to determine whether further investment will be needed.
Councillor Kate Tomlinson, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said: “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.
“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.”
She added:
“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 Council said demand for both mainstream and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) places continues to increase.
The Government’s decision has also prompted questions over how infrastructure will keep pace with housing growth in the New Eastern Villages, where schools, roads and community facilities formed a key part of the original masterplan.
With central funding for the two schools no longer going ahead, the Council must now identify alternative solutions while ensuring there are enough school places for both existing and future residents.
