Newham's Odessa Infant School is facing potential closure due to a growing budget deficit, prompting a proposal to amalgamate it with the neighbouring St James' Junior School. The decision, agreed to by Laura Eden, Corporate Director of Children and Young People, follows a review of options to sustain the school's financial stability.
The proposed amalgamation aims to address the financial challenges faced by Odessa Infant School, which, despite stable pupil numbers, is struggling with a rising deficit due to an increase in pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and insufficient funding. According to the Officer Decision Report, Following a review of all options, to help sustain and maintain the school's financial stability, the only viable solution is an amalgamation with the neighbouring St. James' Junior School, which is Voluntary Controlled and not forecasting a deficit.
The amalgamation would involve discontinuing Odessa Infant School and enlarging St James' CofE Junior School by lowering the age range to 3-11 years, effectively creating a primary school. As the Junior School already has a religious character, the new amalgamated primary school will be designated as such, in accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 ('SSFA'). The council is legally required to consult with appropriate parties before publishing proposals to close a maintained school, as stated in s 16(2) Education and Inspections Act 2006.
Several financial options were considered for the amalgamated school, with Option B currently deemed the most viable. This option reduces expenditure, with projected in-year surpluses ranging from £272k to £300k between 2026/27 and 2028/29, leading to a projected closing surplus of £418k by 2028/29. According to the Officer Decision Report, Based on current assumptions, Option B is considered a financially viable and sustainable approach.
Alternative options, such as Odessa Infant School joining a multi-academy trust (MAT), were explored but deemed unrealistic due to the school's existing budget deficit. The do nothing
option was also considered and rejected because it would likely result in a growing budget deficit, estimated to grow by around £0.2m per annum. It was deemed not educationally or financially viable.
The amalgamation process will follow a five-stage process as outlined in the DfE's (Department for Education) statutory guidance: Opening and closing maintained schools
2024.
The proposal aligns with the council's policy of Building a Fairer Newham, specifically Priority 6, which supports young people. The council will conduct a pre-statutory (informal) consultation, followed by a formal consultation period. According to the Officer Decision Report, Both the consultation period and the representation period should be largely carried out in term time to allow the maximum numbers of people to see and respond to what is proposed.
The Director of Education and Inclusion will consider the results of the pre-publication consultation and an equality impact assessment before deciding whether to publish a statutory notice. The final decision will be made by the Cabinet following the formal consultation period. The Officer Decision Report also states that It is a requirement of a lawful consultation that proposals are made before final decisions have been taken, that consultees are given sufficient time and information to respond and that any representations are then conscientiously taken into account before a final decision is made.
The council is committed to the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, which includes the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between those who have protected characteristics and those who do not.