Town Hall consulting on plans to merge two primary schools in Barnsbury – as pupil numbers drop

Islington Town Hall. Photograph: Islington Citizen

Two primary schools in Islington face having to merge because of falling pupil numbers.

Islington Council is consulting on plans to combine Vittoria and Copenhagen primaries in Barnsbury, with both schools having seen a drop in the number of children in reception.

There are just 30 enrolled in the first year of both schools combined – down on 39 in the previous year.

In total, 294 children are currently enrolled at both schools, with 137 at Copenhagen and 157 at Vittoria.

The council said one in five reception places are unfilled at its 46 primaries and agreed last month to cut the equivalent of three-and-a-half entry forms, or 105 places.

Copenhagen on Treaty Street already works with Vittoria on Half Moon Crescent as part of the Islington Futures Federation of four schools.

Both schools have been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.

If the merger goes ahead, the schools would use the Vittoria name but would be based at the Copenhagen site.

The federation’s headteacher John Beighton said: “Falling pupil numbers has impacted on what each school can provide and deliver individually. Through these proposals we could combine the best of what each school offers to create an exceptional single school.”

He added: “This builds on existing close partnerships between the schools, which includes shared staff, resources, professional development and joint trips and other educational experiences for children.”

Town Hall bosses said primaries across Islington are affected by falling school rolls, which they blame on lower birth rates, changes to EU migration, the impact of the pandemic and families moving out of London.

There was a reduction of more than 300 pupils across all year groups last year. Primary schools lose £5,430 per empty desk.

Michelline Safi Ngongo, the executive member for children, young people and families, said:  “Across London, schools are seeing a reduction in pupil numbers, which means some places are not filled – causing less funding for schools, and less money for salaries and other vital expenses.”

She said the proposed merger “would bring together the identities and strengths of both schools under one roof, while helping to secure the merged school’s financial future”.

The consultation will run for six weeks until 16 December and the executive will decide whether to go ahead with the merger at its meeting on 9 Febuary.

A further four-week consultation will follow if it decides to, and the final decision would be made in May.

The consultation can be found here: Copenhagen and Vittoria School | Islington Council.