Lambeth primary schools to merge as birth rates fall
It comes after Lambeth Council moved to close or amalgamate a number of schools in the borough to alleviate pressure on the council's budget.Schools currently receive funding from central government on a per-pupil basis so a decline in pupils mean reduced funds.The borough currently has 4,555 empty spaces across all primary schools."If we do nothing across these schools, the cumulative deficit position for them is expected to reach £17 million by March 2026," the council said as part of its consultation on changes.
St Bede's and St Bernadette Catholic Schools already work in partnership, under the umbrella name The Federation, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).All pupils at St Bernadette's will be offered a place at the new school and all permanent staff on a federation contract will move to the new site.
'Greater financial security'
Ewa Ostrynska, headteacher at St Bede's, said the majority of pupils and parents were "very excited" about the merger, and that staff already worked across both schools.She said the merger would allow the school community to "thrive", and that it would "strengthen spiritual partnership" with the church and parish.The headteacher added: "Of course it will ensure greater financial security for the schools and more stability for pupils, staff and the local community and potential cost savings as well."She added that the new school would allow the transition from nursery to primary to be "seamless" and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) children would be supported all the way from aged 3 to 11.Ms Ostrynska added parents would benefit from bringing their children to one site rather than travelling to separate locations, and that staff would benefit from opportunities such as gaining more experience and training.Ben Kind, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said the merger was about "acting pro-actively and responsibly" to create an all-through primary school which would "preserve Catholic education locally".
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ITV News
18 minutes ago
- ITV News
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Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
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UK's cheapest and priciest seaside towns to buy a home
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Reuters
24 minutes ago
- Reuters
Quality of UK economic data concerning, quick fix unlikely, say economists: Reuters poll
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