An education agency says falling birthrates could mean Swindon schools facing a drop in funding Picture: PA Falling birth rates in Swindon could spell real difficulties for schools across the borough warns an education expert. Richard Tilley the founder of Comms for Schools, an agency which works exclusively in education, says the lack of babies being born could mean that schools find they don’t have enough children to fill places. Swindon Borough Council says it is working with schools to make sure the town has the right capacity. Mr Tilley said: “In Swindon the birth rate has fallen 12.4 per cent between 2010 and 2019. It means that there will be around 360 fewer children looking for reception places for September 2023 than were in 2014, when current Year 6 pupils started. That is the equivalent of 12 empty classrooms.
WARNINGS of class downsizing and even school closures have been made after research by the Oxford Mail found nearly 2,000 primary school places vacant across Oxfordshire. On April 16, parents and carers found out what school their child would attend, with 93 per cent offered their first choice in the county. However, following an FOI submitted to Oxfordshire County Council by this paper, it can be revealed that 1,910 reception places are still empty. The data reveals that dozens of schools still have spaces for entire classrooms, with some having more than 40 places. The county council – the local authority responsible for overseeing the majority of Oxfordshire primary schools – said the number of vacancies was down to the falling birth rate in the area.
Chambersburg
Edward B. Calhoun, 95, of Chambersburg, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, at SpiriTrust Lutheran Home, Chambersburg.
He was born on Jan. 27, 1925, in Mineral Ridge, Ohio, a son of the late William B. and Ethel M. (Richards) Calhoun. He was united in marriage to Vera (Gummo) Calhoun; she preceded him in death Nov. 15, 2020.
He is survived by siblings: Clifford Calhoun, Everett; Levenia Tilley, Silver Springs, Md.; Lucinda Calhoun, Bedford; and Cleive Calhoun, Ellicott City, Md.; and many loving nieces, nephews and their families; stepchildren and their families.
He was preceded in death by siblings, Margaret Buchanan and Clair Calhoun; sisters-in-law, Rita Calhoun and Helen Calhoun; and brothers-in-law, William âBuckâ Buchanan and Richard Tilley.