Westminster primary schools merge as pupil numbers fall

Five primary schools in Westminster are to be reduced down to two, via two separate mergers, after all the schools involved reported falling student numbers, and financial pressures.

Barrow Hill Junior School, Robinsfield Infant School and George Eliot Primary School will merge to become St John’s Wood Primary School. Our Lady of Dolours will be merged into St Mary of the Angels Catholic Primary School.

Parents at both sets of schools had fought the proposals, with one consultation showing 83% of people disagreed with the merger.

The chairs of governors from the schools have said they appreciate the decision “will bring about some changes and perhaps a level of uncertainty”.

In December last year, the chairs of governors at the St John’s Wood schools wrote to parents detailing the proposal, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

They explained how pressures such as a falling birth rates and the cost of housing were to blame. With schools receiving funding on a per-pupil basis, declining numbers equates to financial strain.

The group explained that Barrow Hill was at 82% of capacity, George Eliot at 85% Robinsfield at 75%.

Our Lady of Dolours and St Mary of the Angels reported being at 54% and 80% capacity as of October 2024, culminating in estimated deficits this year of £550,000 and £186,000.

Governors at the schools chose to proceed with the plans to merge in the spring, then the proposals went to Westminster City Council for formal consultations.

The need for merging schools has however been queried by some parents.

In the case of Our Lady of Dolours and St Mary of the Angels, a petition opposing the move read: “The proposed amalgamation would push our school to operate at 130% capacity, leading to crowded classrooms and a likely decrease in the quality of learning.

“Moreover, only half of the pupils from Our Lady of Dolours practice as Catholics. This discrepancy might cause a significant change in the religious character of the STMA community.”

A petition opposing the plans is due to be heard by Westminster City Council.

It claimed issues such as a lack of evidence of considered alternative solutions and a failure to recognise the community feedback.