The National Education Union (NEU) has expressed strong opposition to a proposal by Lambeth council to shut down several schools in the area. The union believes that the council has alternative options to consider rather than closing schools.
Lambeth council initiated a consultation process due to a decline in the number of children enrolling in schools in the borough. The proposal includes the closure of Fenstanton Primary School and Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School in Tulse Hill. The council’s Cabinet is scheduled to meet on November 4 to decide whether to implement these measures within the next 12 months.
In response to the potential closures, teachers from Holy Trinity and Fenstanton are planning to go on strike on November 4 and 5. Additionally, parents, children, and teachers are organizing a protest outside Lambeth council on November 4 during the local authorities’ cabinet meeting.
Over the past decade, the number of children starting primary school in Lambeth has decreased by nearly 30%, resulting in over 500 vacancies in reception classes. The council warns that without intervention, Lambeth schools could accumulate a debt of £17 million by March 2026.
Jessica Edwards, joint secretary of Lambeth NEU, criticized the decision to close schools as a political choice that can be avoided. She suggested that rather than closing schools, the council should invest funds in mainstream schools to support children with special needs and reduce class sizes. Edwards emphasized that smaller class sizes could enhance the quality of education for all students.
Both the council and the union are urging the Government to reform the National Funding Formula (NFF), which they believe puts urban schools at a disadvantage. The current funding system allocates resources based on pupil numbers, which poses financial challenges for schools experiencing a decline in enrollment.
Research by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) indicates that Lambeth is projected to have the largest decrease in pupil numbers at both primary and secondary levels in England. The Department for Education defended the NFF, stating that it allows schools time to adjust costs in response to fluctuating pupil numbers.
A spokesman for Lambeth council acknowledged the difficulty of the situation and emphasized the need to make tough decisions to safeguard the quality of education in the borough. The council assured that community feedback has been considered in developing the proposal to ensure the preservation of high-quality primary education in Lambeth.
The proposal to close schools is a challenging process that the council hopes will address the ongoing issues faced by the education system in Lambeth. Despite the reluctance to pursue school closures, the council views it as a necessary step to protect the educational standards in the area.
