Two more schools to close amid birth-rate decline

St Jude & St Paul's CofE Primary School pupils and their parents marched to Islington Town Hall on Thursday in protest at the plans

Two primary schools in Islington borough are to close at the end of the summer term due to falling pupil numbers, it has been confirmed.

Highbury Quadrant School and St Jude & St Paul's CofE Primary School are no longer financially viable, as only about half of pupil places are occupied, the local authority said.

Teacher Natalie Meaker described St Jude and St Paul's as "the heart of our community", while parents said the decision was "heartbreaking".

It follows a decision this week to close four primary schools in neighbouring borough Hackney amid a continuing fall in birth rates across London.

The school is a 'family'

The decision was taken by councillors on Thursday, as teachers, pupils and parents marched to the town hall in protest.

Ms Meaker told the BBC: "I cannot believe they would even think about closing a small school which is such an important part of our community."

One mother, Rosie Turvey, urged Islington Council to "leave our school alone".

"These kids absolutely love our school and it's heartbreaking. And where are our kids going to go?"

Another parent, Carine Ogundipe, said "This is not just a school, it's a community, it's a family."

Islington Council said its priority was to ensure every child had a "high-quality education".

Pupils are to be offered places at other schools within walking distance, the local authority said.

The schools currently have vacancy rates of about 50%, which is due to a continued decline in pupil numbers in London.

Research by local government body London Councils found there had been a 20% fall in the birth rate between 2012 and 2022.

This is thought to be partly due to the high cost of housing in London and is likely to lead to further school closures, London Councils warned.

Becky Hunter, whose child attends Highbury Quadrant, said she was worried about long-term school provision.

"I am really worried that now and in the future there are going to be families that will find themselves not in the catchment area for a school close by and they're going to find they're offered places in schools...possibly not even in the borough."

This week, Hackney Council announced that St Dominic's Catholic Primary School, St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Oldhill Community School and Sir Thomas Abney Primary School were all to close at the end of the academic year.