Issue - meetings

This report provides Cabinet with a summary of the informal consultation undertaken between November 2023 and December 2023 on the proposal to implement a phased closure of the Gwenneth Rickus site of Leopold Primary School.  As a result, the report recommends a move to formal consultation, through publication of a statutory notice, on a phased closure of the provision on the Leopold Primary School Gwenneth Rickus site and a variation to the Published Admission Number of Leopold Primary School from 120 to 60 to take effect from the 2025/26 academic year.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve a period of formal consultation, through publication of a statutory notice, on proposals to:

(a)    seek a variation to reduce Leopold Primary School’s Published Admission Number (PAN) from 120 to 60 from September 2025; and

(b)    implement a phased closure of provision on the Gwenneth Rickus site of Leopold Primary School between September 2025 and the end of July 2027.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 12 February 24

Councillor Grahl (Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools) introduced a report providing Cabinet with a summary of the informal consultation undertaken between November 2023 and December 2023 on the proposal to implement a phased closure of the Gwenneth Rickus site of Leopold Primary School and seeking approval to move to formal consultation, through publication of a statutory notice, on a phased closure of the site and a variation to the Published Admission Number of Leopold Primary School from 120 to 60 to take effect from the 2025-26 academic year.

In considering the report Cabinet once again noted the forecast fall in demand for pupil places within the primary sector with the highest capacity and percentage of spare places falling within Primary Planning Area 4 and schools in that area having to manage this impact for a number of years with the support of the Local Authority.  Members recognised it was within this context that the proposals outlined within the report had been developed and, whilst recognising and sympathising with the disappointment and concerns identified by governors, parents and the leadership team at the school along with the impact on pupils and their families, felt that the approach outlined in terms of reducing capacity at Leopold Primary School was the last available option for consideration in terms of being able to safeguard the longer-term sustainability of other schools in the area.

In commenting on the nature of the challenges identified, members felt it important to note the impact of the current cost-of-living crisis, increase in the cost of housing and changes introduced as a result of austerity to the welfare system as factors which had all contributed to families struggling to afford to settle in the borough and across London, with the associated impact on varying demand for pupil places made more challenging (especially in relation to the primary sector) by the ongoing pressures on school funding.  Recognising the efforts being made to safeguard future school provision and doing everything possible to reduce the likelihood of school closures, Cabinet welcomed the assurance regarding the future retention of any school buildings released as a result of the proposal for education purposes as well as the ongoing support being provided to the school in managing any transition process.

Having noted the outcome of the consultation process Cabinet therefore RESOLVED in recognising the limited and difficult nature of options available to approve a period of formal consultation, through publication of a statutory notice, on proposals to:

(a)    seek a variation to reduce Leopold Primary School’s Published Admission Number (PAN) from 120 to 60 from September 2025; and

(b)    implement a phased closure of provision on the Gwenneth Rickus site of Leopold Primary School between September 2025 and the end of July 2027.