Issue - meetings

This report provides a summary of the formal consultation undertaken between 29 February 2024 and 28 March 2024 on the proposal to implement a phased closure of the Gwenneth Rickus site of Leopold Primary School.

Cabinet RESOLVED

(1)    To approve the variation of Leopold Primary School’s Published Admission Number (PAN) from 120 to 60 from September 2025.

(2)    To approved the 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 Tuesday 4 June 24

Councillor Grahl (Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools) introduced a report providing a summary of the formal consultation undertaken between February and March 2024 on the proposals to implement a phased closure of the Gwenneth Rickus site of Leopold Primary School.

In introducing the report, Councillor Grahl reminded members of the previous discussions that had taken place at Cabinet regarding the pressures in pupil numbers in Primary Planning Area 4, with these still ongoing, requiring what had been recognised as difficult choices in terms of action to address the associated financial risk and challenges to schools across the wider area. The proposals being presented formed part of a package of different steps designed to ease those pressures and ensure schools remained financially resilient so that they could provide the best education for children in Brent.

In considering the report, Cabinet noted that the Council’s priority was to mitigate against the complete closure of schools wherever possible with Leopold Primary School having been expanded onto a second site in 2015 and therefore identified as having flexibility to reduce its size with the least amount of disruption to staff and pupils with the opportunity taken to pay tribute to the school for the work undertaken to develop the site.

Considering the proposed way forward, Councillor Grahl acknowledged the challenges for families and communities involved in these type of school organisational proposals and recognised that Gwenneth Rickus had developed its own distinct identity and was appreciated by the community. In presenting the proposal, however, she highlighted that the measure had been designed to protect schools in the area from further tough decisions and that the hard work and commitment to teaching and learning would have a legacy in the work staff continued to do at the Hawkshead Road campus.

In referring to the consultation responses, Councillor Grahl assured Cabinet that these had been carefully considered and as a result it was planned to enact a phased closure up until September 2027 to minimise disruption and give the school more autonomy about the way the site closure would be managed.  The opportunity was also taken to thank the Chair of Governors for their submission, which had been included as Appendix B to the report.

In considering the report and comments, Cabinet highlighted the way in which it was felt the pressures identified had been exacerbated by funding reductions to the education sector and welcomed the sensitive approach taken in relation to pupil place planning and the proposed reduction in pupil numbers presented within the report.  Assurance was provided that the options available had been subject to robust challenge and an evidence based approach but acknowledged the anxiety caused as a result and assured Brent residents that these decisions were taken in the interest of all children across Brent.

In thanking Leopold Primary School and the Chair of Governors for their involvement in this process, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To approve the variation of Leopold Primary School’s Published Admission Number (PAN) from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12