Brent's Cabinet has approved the amalgamation of Malorees Infant School and Malorees Junior School, citing financial pressures and the opportunity for a new school building. The decision, made on Monday 28 July 2025, follows a formal consultation and aims to create a unified primary school for children aged 3-11. The amalgamation is proposed to take effect from the beginning of the summer term in 2026 (by 13 April 2026).
The move will see the closure of Malorees Junior School, with the infant school expanding to accommodate all pupils and being renamed Malorees Primary School. The council has committed to retaining the junior school land for educational use. Children attending Malorees Junior School at the point of closure will be automatically transferred to the roll of Malorees Primary School and will continue to be taught in the same classes, with the same teachers. Staff employed at Malorees Junior School will have their employment transferred to Malorees Primary School under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 amended.
Councillor Gwen Grahl, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Schools, said the proposal has the children at its heart, and will streamline governance, create a unified school identity, and maximise resources.
Angus Hisslop, vice chair of Mallory Schools Federation, expressed strong support for the amalgamation, highlighting the opportunity for a new build under the Department for Education (DfE) building programme. He noted that the new build would help offset the financial cost of amalgamation, but recognised the risk of delays to the building programme. Mr. Hisslop also noted that the loss of a lump sum, which is worth about 5% of their combined expenditure, is a potential downside.
The decision comes amid significant financial challenges for Brent Council, including a £30 million budget gap over the next three years. Pressures in adult social care, children's services, and housing were highlighted in a Medium Term Financial Outlook report reviewed by the cabinet. The report noted that without a fundamental rethink of local government funding, councils like Brent will continue to face unsustainable choices.
Councillor Neil Nerva, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Leisure, welcomed the proposal as a Councillor for the nearby Queen's Park ward. He noted the importance of keeping parents and children informed about the changes.
The cabinet agreed to retain the junior school land for the educational use of the primary school.