Haringey Council is considering the closure of two schools, St Peter in Chains RC Infant School and St Gildas' Junior School, due to a steady decline in pupil numbers since 2014. Councillor Zena Brabazon, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools & Families, is reviewing a report outlining the results of the statutory representation period and will make a final determination on the proposal within two months, according to the Public reports pack.
The report, presented at the Cabinet Member Signing meeting on 14 July 2025, highlights that Haringey primary schools have experienced a significant drop in pupil numbers, mirroring a trend across London. This decline has led to financial pressures, as funding is primarily based on the number of children enrolled. St Peter in Chains Infant school's budget forecast for the 2024-25 financial year anticipates a deficit of £121,440.
As of May 2025, the schools had a total of 27 pupils on roll. The council has a duty to ensure children in its schools are able to receive a good education and access the full curriculum, and that a school with a declining roll will be challenged to do this effectively because of inevitable financial pressures from reduced funding.
The report recommends that the local authority cease maintaining St Peter in Chains and St Gildas' Catholic Infant and Junior Schools from 31 August 2025, to allow for transition planning for any remaining pupils so they can be supported in securing another local school rated 'Good' or 'Outstanding' by Ofsted. The proposed phased implementation is:
- April 2025 to July 2025: no changes Pupils remaining in Reception, Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are able to continue at St Peter in Chain's and St Gildas' Catholic Infant and Junior Schools. Families have a right to express a preference for other schools via the Council's in-year admissions process.
- June 2025 to July 2025: a co-ordinated in-year admissions process will be run by the School Admissions Service to enable families to apply elsewhere for September 2025. Families will be awarded priority under the Council's social/medical criterion for community and voluntary controlled (VC) schools. The Council will also approach own admission authority schools to request their consideration in prioritising displaced pupils under any existing social or medical criteria outlined in their admissions policies.
- 31 August 2025 St Peter in Chain's and St Gildas' Catholic Infant and Junior Schools closure.
- September 2025 –displaced pupils start at alternative schools
Following the complete vacation of the sites, the Catholic Diocese will have control of the buildings and will consult with local stakeholders about potential future usage in accordance with the guidance and rules established by the Department for Education with regards to the disposal of educational assets.
Alternative options, including no change, conversion to an academy, federation, and amalgamation, were considered but ultimately rejected. The reasons for rejecting these options are:
- No change: This option was deemed unsustainable due to the financial pressures of falling rolls.
- Conversion to academy: The Diocese withdrew its application for the school to join a Multi Academy Trust.
- Federation: St Peter in Chains Infant School is already federated with St Gildas' Junior School, and the current model is not achieving its desired impact.
- Amalgamation: Opportunities for a potential amalgamation between St Peter in Chains and St Gildas' Catholic Infant and Junior Schools and another local Catholic primary school have not yielded any interest from partners.
The report states that the closure would support the efficient use of resources, as there are surplus places in other local schools.
The report also included an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA), which assessed the potential impact of the closure on individuals with protected characteristics covered by the Equality Act 2010. The EqIA identified potential negative impacts on staff at risk of redundancy and the disturbance caused to children transitioning to a new school, and stated that impacts on children and staff will be mitigated by ensuring support and assistance where required, and that a dedicated Admissions process will be undertaken to ensure as smooth a transition as possible for impacted pupils.
Staff at risk of redundancy will receive individualised support which considers protected characteristics, including access to the redeployment pool and the Employee Assistance Programme, including CV/statement writing/ interview technique training and support to find alternative roles within Haringey,
according to the Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA).
The decision follows a period of consultation, including meetings with staff, governors, and parents. According to the Printed minutes, only one objection was received during the 28-day representation period.
Reasons for the proposed closure include the schools being in deficit and the revenue budget to operate successfully in the future being severely diminished by very low pupil numbers. Many families have already transferred their children to other local schools; St Peter in Chains and St Gildas' Catholic Infant and Junior Schools had 27 pupils on roll as of the week ending 30 May 2025, 17 of whom were Year 6 pupils who will be transferring to secondary school in September 2025.