One in three councils expect more than a fifth of primary school places will be unfilled next year, throwing the falling rolls crisis into the spotlight once more. More town halls are also predicting major shortfalls in their secondaries, with one warning its problems have spawned from “affordability” issues rather than the birth rate. But as government officials prepare to tour more local authorities to work out how to counter the problem, leaders have lobbied for a national ombudsman to take charge of the strategy. Become a member for unlimited access to Schools Week subscribe Our members enjoy early access to exclusive content and in-depth articles before anyone else. Get expert journalism, experience fewer ads, and unlock a growing range of member benefits.