Hillingdon Council is considering a proposal to amalgamate Harefield Infant School and Harefield Junior School due to falling pupil numbers. The Children, Families and Education Select Committee discussed the proposal at a meeting on Wednesday 30 July 2025.
The proposed amalgamation aims to create a single two-form entry primary school for children aged 3 to 11, with a total published pupil number of 420. If approved, the change would take effect from 1 April 2026.
Abi Preston, Director of Education & SEND, prepared a report for the committee recommending that they provide comments to the cabinet on the proposal. The council and schools are expected to consider the long-term vision of each school, ensure the best outcomes for children and young people, and the sustainability of schools. Part of this responsibility includes continuing to:
- improve and provide the best possible education and care for every child;
- provide an excellent working environment and experience for staff; and
- support and work with their local community.
According to the report, both schools are community-maintained schools located in the Harefield Village ward and were both graded 'Good' at their last Ofsted Inspection. The schools have been in a federation since October 2018, operating as much as possible as one school, with one federated Governing Board, one Executive Headteacher, and one Head of School.
The report stated that the Hillingdon Infant and Junior Amalgamation Policy, September 2022, states that the council will require governing bodies of separate infant and junior schools to consider amalgamating their two linked schools when one or more of several 'trigger circumstances' occur, unless there are compelling and overriding reasons. Two of these triggers were reportedly met:
- Pupil Numbers 25% or More Below Published Admission Number (PAN): The report stated that current enrolment data shows that total pupil numbers in Harefield Infant School are more than 25% below PANs.
- Small School Size and Below Two Forms of Entry: The report stated that both schools are either operating with PANs below two forms of entry or are recruiting below this level, which puts them at risk of becoming financially unviable within the Hillingdon funding context.
The report also included tables showing the decline in pupil numbers at both schools over the past six years.
An Equality Impact Assessment was considered in relation to the proposed amalgamation, and it was not expected that the proposal would have any significant impact on pupils, staff, or the wider community.
If the schools amalgamate, the combined school will only be eligible for one lump sum from the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) in the future, which could have financial implications. Specifically, the school will lose an allocation from the DSG provided to individual schools to support fixed costs, which is currently £159,662 a year (based on the budget for 2025/26). The school can, however, benefit from better economies of scale which could mitigate the impact of this loss.
The report also detailed the consultation process that was carried out, including online and in-person meetings with parents, carers, staff, governors and members of the public. Following the end of the pre-publication consultation period, a Chief Officer Report was submitted which details the key themes raised in the responses (Background paper 3). The report was approved on 16th May 2025 and recommended proceeding to a formal consultation process through the publication of a statutory notice for the expansion of the age range at Harefield Junior School, and the (technical) closure of Harefield Infant School, to become one school, with the change of name from Harefield Junior School and Harefield Infant school, to Harefield Primary School, to achieve the amalgamation.
It has been confirmed that the amalgamation will not change the curriculum being delivered.
If the cabinet approves the proposal, the Education Service will formally notify the Department for Education, and the implementation of the proposal will then follow the statutory process set out in the Department for Education's guidance.
