Two more schools to close amid birth-rate decline

Two primary schools in Islington borough are to close at the end of the summer term due to falling pupil numbers, it has been confirmed.

Highbury Quadrant School and St Jude & St Paul's CofE Primary School are no longer financially viable, as only about half of pupil places are occupied, the local authority said.

Teacher Natalie Meaker described St Jude and St Paul's as "the heart of our community", while parents said the decision was "heartbreaking".

It follows a decision this week to close four primary schools in neighbouring borough Hackney amid a continuing fall in birth rates across London.

The schools currently have vacancy rates of about 50%, which is due to a continued decline in pupil numbers in London.

Research by local government body London Councils found there had been a 20% fall in the birth rate between 2012 and 2022.

This is thought to be partly due to the high cost of housing in London and is likely to lead to further school closures, London Councils warned.

Becky Hunter, whose child attends Highbury Quadrant, said she was worried about long-term school provision.

"I am really worried that now and in the future there are going to be families that will find themselves not in the catchment area for a school close by and they're going to find they're offered places in schools...possibly not even in the borough."

This week, Hackney Council announced that St Dominic's Catholic Primary School, St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Oldhill Community School and Sir Thomas Abney Primary School were all to close at the end of the academic year.