Westminster City Council's Cabinet has approved a £411,931 upgrade for St John's Wood Primary School's Upper School building, aiming to create a safer and more modern learning environment.
The funding, allocated from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) for the St John's Wood neighbourhood area, will facilitate a comprehensive refurbishment of the school's upper building. Key improvements will include redecoration of all internal areas, replacement of flooring and fixtures, refurbishment of washrooms, and upgrades to data cabling.
These works are necessary to address the building's deteriorating condition, which extends beyond leaks and worn interiors. Identified issues include 'outdated and insufficient toilet facilities for the number of pupils' and 'overstimulating décor', which have been a cause for concern among parents, governors, and staff.
The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting on Monday, March 16, 2026, where councillors reviewed the NCIL application, detailed in the Cabinet Report 4. Cabinet Report. Despite some initial concerns raised by ward councillors from the Regent's Park area, the council's Education Department confirmed that no alternative capital funding is available for these essential upgrades.
Ward councillors had expressed concern that the works described 'appear to be routine maintenance rather than infrastructure improvements' and highlighted 'broader pressures on NCIL allocations across St John's Wood and neighbouring areas'. In response, it was clarified that while the Council has statutory responsibilities as an Education Authority, this does not prevent NCIL use for school infrastructure that contributes to increased pressure on facilities. It was also confirmed that no alternative capital funding is available for these works and that significant Corporate Property and S106 investment has occurred in recent years, but no further capital budget exists for this specific element of work.
The project aligns with Westminster's CIL priorities for improving essential community facilities and accessible public spaces, as outlined in the Public reports pack Public reports pack 16th-Mar-2026 18.30 Cabinet.
