The last primary school in Soho

Parents say Soho Parish Primary School has to spend a lot of time fundraising

It's an area known for its vibrant nightlife but right in the heart of Soho, you'll also find a school.

When Soho was notorious as a red-light district, it's said the Soho Parish CofE Primary School educated the children of sex workers for free.

It was once one of 16 in the area, and a school has been on the site since 1699, but now it's the last one left.

Like other schools in central London, there are fears for its future due to falling pupil numbers but the community is pulling together to try to save it.

The school dates back to 1699

More than a quarter of primary school places in Westminster are empty, according to a council report, and in the inner London boroughs, at least 12 primaries are battling to stay open. In the past five years, 23 have closed, BBC London found.

At Soho Parish's Christmas fundraising concert, there were mixed feelings and about the school's future.

Parent Greg Jordan, who works in the area, said: "Everyone has to work a little bit harder because the funding is less than what it used to be, so the parents are chipping in more.

"There's lots of donations; even a local hotel donates all the toilet roll.

"But everyone is fighting it in London, I feel for every school. They are spending more time having to fundraise than they are actually teaching."

The school's Christmas concert was sponsored by property firm Criterion Capital

Mr Jordan added: "If you want people to come to Soho, and to central London, then you need a community, you need to see and feel that.

"Otherwise all you're doing is looking at another load of tourists."

Businesses and landowners in Soho are also passionate about keeping the area's community alive - and keeping its last school running.

The Christmas concert was sponsored by property firm Criterion Capital, which owns the Trocadero and Piccadilly Hotel, and unlike most primary school Christmas concerts, the concert audience was mainly made up of stakeholders.

The support of external financial backers has some people feeling optimistic.

Parent Georgia Sutcliffe said: "I think it's galvanising all the parents. That's what so wonderful about the school is that it's in the middle of Soho, it's got a great pool of people who are helping and encouraging everyone with the funding issue, which I'm sure we'll sort out."

• Soho: 'People live here and bring up families here'

The decrease of pupils, found most acutely in central London, is blamed on a combination of falling birth rates, the cost of housing and the cost of living.

A total drop in demand of about 7,900 places for the first years of primary and secondary over the next four years is expected, analysis from cross-party councils' representative body London Councils has found.

The biggest drops were in Westminster, Southwark and Camden, all with primary school number falls of greater than 10% - although four London boroughs are predicted to see increased demand.

Alix Ascough, head teacher of Soho Parish, explained: "The school in 2018 had around 180 pupils, now it has around 109. We've had decline over the past five to seven years.

"That's been for a number of reasons: Covid significantly changed people's working patterns and that's really hit a school like Soho Parish where we served a lot of the wider community too, who wouldn't be bringing their children into the city centre.

"That and also falling birth rates."

Aicha Less, Westminster City Council's cabinet member for children and public protection, said: "We are working with school staff and the diocese over the best way to help, for example with the costs of the building.

"I realise there is concern among parents, but I want to assure them we are examining a range of options to help with what are tight finances. We know how loved this school is.

"Soho Parish Primary School, like others across central London, is suffering from falling pupil numbers and the reality is government education funding is calculated per pupil.

"We are raising the issue of inner-city schools with the secretary of state for education and pointing to Soho Parish Primary School as a prime example of a great facility which needs to keep serving the community."