Three Islington primary schools at risk as pupil numbers drop

Islington Town Hall. Photograph: Islington Citizen

An Islington primary school with just six pupils in reception could close and two others merge because there are not enough children to fill empty desks.

The Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic primary in King’s Cross has just six pupils in its reception class, but space for 30 children, and is likely to close next July.

Overall, it has just 76 pupils but space for 210, and has the lowest number of pupils at school in Islington. The council has proposed closing it next summer.

Pupils from Montem primary in Hornsey are likely to be transferred to nearby Duncombe primary, if a planned merger of the two goes ahead next summer.

The council blamed the proposals on a drop in pupil numbers because falling birth rate and people moving from the borough. Schools across London have been affected with falling school rolls.

Government funding is based on the number of pupils and the council said it means “schools have less money to spend on staff and resources”.

Primary schools generally receive £5,500 in government funding per pupil.

Undersubscribed Blessed Sacrament primary saw an 18 per cent drop in numbers this year.

The council said it had few options as the school, which has a ‘good’ Ofsted rating, is already a one-form entry school.

Parents can respond to a council consultation until Tuesday 12 December and the council will make its final decision in March.

However, the school’s governing body is considering converting it to an academy in the Cardinal Hume Academies Trust (CHAT).

Headteacher Alexandra Fernandez told parents: “The staff and I are very grateful for all the support the school has already received from CHAT, and look forward to this being sustained well into the future and being part of the Trust.

“We believe this will bring about positive outcomes for all our pupils, staff and associates, and we are unequivocal that this will support our future for many years to come.”

Duncombe and Montem primary schools in Hornsey could merge next August because of falling rolls.

Pupils from Montem would move to Duncombe School in Sussex Way.

Both schools were recently rated ‘good’ by education watchdog Ofsted.

Over half the reception places at both schools are currently vacant.

The council said the drop in numbers is due to a falling birth rate and people moving. Schools across London have been affected, with neighbouring councils closing or merging primary schools.

Government funding is based on the number of pupils and the council said it means “schools have less money to spend on staff and resources”.

Primary schools generally receive £5,500 per pupil.

In a letter to parents Duncombe head teacher Helen Ryan said: “I want to stress to you that Duncombe staff are ‘keeping calm and carrying on’. We know that the most important thing is to ensure an excellent education for all children.”

There will be space for 60 pupils in each new year group in the merged school from September 2024, with capacity for 585 children from reception through to year six.

The council said most pupils live within 1km of Duncombe school.

The consultation ends on Wednesday 20 December.

The council will make its final decision about the two schools in April.