Issue - meetings

The Head of School Admissions, Education and School Organisation introduced the report.

Officers outlined the result of the statutory representation period on the proposal to close St Peter in Chains RC Infant school and St Gildas’ Junior school to enable the Cabinet Member to make a final decision on the proposal to close St Peter in Chains RC Infant school and St Gildas’ Junior school. Officers additionally outlined the results of the informal representation period which had been undertaken and that the Council had received a single objection to proposals.

It was explained that the report outlined the final stages for recommended closure. It was additionally stressed that it was considered by officers that the school was no longer viable

Following questions, the following points were raised:

• It was confirmed by officers that all statutory procedures regarding school closure had been followed.
  
  
• The Lead Member noted her thanks to officers for the hard work in developing the work for this decision.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Member for Children’s, Schools and Families:.

1.    Noted that only one objection was received during the 4-week representation period, despite the local authority having consulted widely with all relevant stakeholders.

2.    Noted that the federated schools were in deficit, and the revenue budget to operate successfully in the future, whilst maintaining the delivery of a good quality of education for pupils, had been severely diminished by very low pupil numbers.

3.    Noted that many families had already transferred their children to other local schools; St Peter in Chains and St Gildas’ Catholic Infant and Junior Schools had 27 pupils on roll (as of the week ending 30 May 2025), 17 of whom were Year 6 pupils who would be transferring to secondary school in September 2025.

4.    Agreed that, for the local authority to cease maintaining St Peter in Chains and St Gildas’ Catholic Infant and Junior Schools from 31 August 2025, in order for transition planning to have commenced for any remaining pupils so they could be supported in securing another local school rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted

Reasons for the Decision

Following years of growth, the number of primary-aged children joining Haringey primary schools had been in steady decline since 2014, a trend that was observed across London. Primary pupil rolls in Haringey had reduced by over 2,000 in just five years: from 21,300 in 2019 to 19,100 in 2024 (January school census data), and pupil numbers were forecast to continue falling until at least 2021.

Both St Peter in Chains and St Gildas’ Catholic Infant and Junior Schools were substantive two-form entry (FE) Voluntary Aided Catholic schools located at Oakington Way, London, N8 9EP. St Peter in Chains Infant School was federated with St Gildas’ Junior School. Both schools shared the same headteacher and governing body. Since 2019, the number of pupils on roll had dropped significantly at both schools. From April 2024, some year groups had been merged, and the governing body moved the infant school to the federation’s junior  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16