URL: https://moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=8777

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Children and Families

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: This report provides the Cabinet Member for Children and Families with an update, summary and recommended formal proposals, following the public, informal consultation where the Local Authority (LA) is proposing to amalgamate and/or possibly close a number of local primary schools. This is in response to the significant surplus of primary school places in the Borough. Published Admission Numbers (PAN) reductions from 2025 onwards, were not achieved in line with the LA’s recommendations as a part of the Pupil Place Planning (PPP) Strategy agreed by Cabinet in November 2022, thereby ‘triggering’ worst-case options. Lambeth Local Authority will therefore use their powers under section 15 of Education and Inspection Act (EIA) 2006, and the School Organisation (Establishment and Discontinuance of Schools) Regulations 2013, to pursue possible amalgamations or even closures of up to 8 local, primary schools.

Content: recommendations   1.     To approve progress to stage 2 and 3 of the statutory process for closing and amalgamating schools by publishing Statutory Notices triggering the publication and representation stage as per the opening and closing maintained schools guidance.   2.     To approve, consulting specifically on the proposed: a.     Closure of Fenstanton Primary School. b.     Closure of Holy Trinity CofE Primary School but simultaneously signposting consultees to a partnership agreement with Christ Church Streatham CofE Primary School. c.     Amalgamation of Christ Church Primary SW9 with St John the Divine CofE Primary School by closing St John’s the Divine CofE Primary School and site and merging into Christ Church Primary SW9 on its site. d.     Amalgamation of Glenbrook Primary School with Kings Avenue Primary School by closing Kings Avenue Primary School and site and merging into Glenbrook Primary School on its site. e.     Pausing any future formal consultation on the amalgamation of St Saviour’s CofE Primary School and St John’s Angell Town CofE Primary school to allow for time to explore more viable options for both schools and subsequently, the East planning area.   3.     To Approve the Formal Consultation Questionnaire.  

Date of Decision: September 9, 2024