We're the main provider of school places in Plymouth and have a duty to ensure that enough school places are available now and in the future.
When planning school places, pupil number forecasts and school capacity assessments are essential. We undertake this work on behalf of all schools and other professional organisations.
Pupil numbers and forecasts
Pupil current and forecast numbers up to 2029 (based on January 2019 Census). Year refers to the January of the academic year (2020 is academic year 2019/20).
| Year | R | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3073 | 3083 | 2993 | 2942 | 2961 | 2889 | 2688 | 20629 |
| 2018 | 2971 | 3062 | 3086 | 2978 | 2938 | 2965 | 2880 | 20881 |
| 2019 | 2839 | 2961 | 3065 | 3071 | 2974 | 2942 | 2956 | 20807 |
| 2020 | 2874 | 2829 | 2964 | 3049 | 3067 | 2978 | 2933 | 20694 |
| 2021 | 3249 | 2864 | 2832 | 2949 | 3046 | 3070 | 2968 | 20978 |
| 2022 | 3278 | 3238 | 2867 | 2817 | 2945 | 3049 | 3061 | 21255 |
| 2023 | 3298 | 3266 | 3241 | 2853 | 2814 | 2949 | 3040 | 21459 |
| 2024 | 3306 | 3286 | 3269 | 3225 | 2849 | 2817 | 2940 | 21692 |
| 2025 | 3310 | 3295 | 3289 | 3253 | 3221 | 2852 | 2808 | 22028 |
| Year | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2764 | 2629 | 2606 | 2551 | 2485 | 13035 |
| 2018 | 2802 | 2744 | 2617 | 2635 | 2480 | 13278 |
| 2019 | 3003 | 2782 | 2732 | 2646 | 2563 | 13726 |
| 2020 | 3081 | 2982 | 2770 | 2761 | 2574 | 14168 |
| 2021 | 3058 | 3060 | 2968 | 2799 | 2686 | 14571 |
| 2022 | 3095 | 3036 | 3046 | 2999 | 2722 | 14898 |
| 2023 | 3191 | 3073 | 3022 | 3077 | 2917 | 15280 |
| 2024 | 3169 | 3168 | 3059 | 3053 | 2992 | 15441 |
| 2025 | 3065 | 3147 | 3154 | 3090 | 2969 | 15425 |
| Year | 12 | 13 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1968 | 1462 | 3430 |
| 2018 | 1901 | 1518 | 3419 |
| 2019 | 1897 | 1466 | 3363 |
| 2020 | 1960 | 1464 | 3424 |
| 2021 | 1968 | 1512 | 3480 |
| 2022 | 2053 | 1518 | 3571 |
| 2023 | 2081 | 1584 | 3665 |
| 2024 | 2229 | 1605 | 3834 |
| 2025 | 2286 | 1719 | 4005 |
These forecasts include the Free Schools and Academies which have opened in Plymouth since 2013.
Pupil forecasting methodology 2019 [PDF, 149KB]
Primary school data
Primary forecast data is used to estimate potential demand within the city at primary age, based on information about the number of 'live births'. Schools provide these forecasts which are used to plan for the next five years.
Secondary school data
Secondary forecast data is used to estimate potential demand within each secondary school, based on the number of children leaving primary school. The number of secondary school aged children has been in decline but after this academic year 2017/2018 the pupil roll will begin to increase.
Changes to schools
Schools now have more freedom to make significant changes to their existing provision (for example, expanding a school, age range changes, opening a new school and school closures). More information on how we and schools can respond to local demand and population changes can be found on the GOV.UK website.