Mergers of five Westminster schools to be completed by start of autumn term

Two amalgamations involving five schools in the City of Westminster are to be implemented with preparations underway to ensure they are in place by the start of the autumn term this September.

Barrow Hill Junior School, Robinsfield Infant School and George Eliot Primary School in St John’s Wood and separately Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Primary School and St Mary of the Angels Catholic Primary School are to merge due to challenges including falling pupil rolls and growing financial deficits.

Parents at both sets of schools had fought the proposals, with a consultation on the plans for Barrow Hill, Robinsfield and George Eliot indicating 83 per cent of respondents either “tend to disagree” or “disagree” with the merger.

A petition opposing the plans was due to be heard by Westminster Council at its Full Council meeting this week, claiming issues such as a lack of evidence of considered alternative solutions and a failure to recognise the community feedback.

Under the amalgamations, Barrow Hill, Robinsfield and George Eliot pupils will form a new St John’s Wood Primary School.

Pupils from Our Lady of Dolours in Westbourne ward will be incorporated into St Mary of the Angels in Bayswater due to the existing site deemed unsustainable with limited disability access.

In both instances, letters sent by the chairs of the governing bodies to parents highlighted the challenges of falling pupil rolls on school finances.

In the UK schools receive funding on a per-pupil basis. With fewer young children starting school across the capital proposed amalgamations and closures are becoming increasingly common.

In December last year, the chairs of governors at the St John’s Wood schools wrote to parents detailing the proposal.

They referenced pressures such as a falling birth rate and the cost of housing, with Barrow Hill at 82 per cent of capacity, 85 per cent at George Eliot, and 75 per cent at Robinsfield.

“Making this change now — before we might be forced to due to budget pressures — keeps the future in our community’s hands, allowing it to be shaped by our collective choices and preferences,” the letter read.

Our Lady of Dolours and St Mary of the Angels, which are in the west of the borough by Kensington and Chelsea, meanwhile reported being at 54 per cent and 80 per cent capacity as of October 2024, culminating in estimated deficits this year of £550,000 and £186,000.

The need for the amalgamations has however been queried by some parents.

In the case of Our Lady of Dolours and St Mary of the Angels, a petition opposing the move read: “The proposed amalgamation would push our school to operate at 130 per cent capacity, leading to crowded classrooms and a likely decrease in the quality of learning. Moreover, only half of the pupils from Our Lady of Dolours practice as Catholics. This discrepancy might cause a significant change in the religious character of the STMA community.”

Governors at the schools chose to proceed with the plans to merge in the spring, following which the proposals went to Westminster City Council for formal consultations.

The decisions to move ahead with the amalgamations have now been taken by Councillor Aicha Less, cabinet member for children and public protection, with each school to carry out practical preparations ahead of them being in place for September.

Rachel Blake, MP for Cities of London and Westminster, said she has spent time with parents and teachers involved in the merger of Barrow Hill, Robinsfield and George Eliot.

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I fully appreciate how difficult and uncertain this process has been for many families, and I understand the concerns that parents have raised. I would like to see a phased and carefully managed approach to the merger, with a collaborative and supportive spirit from the schools involved. Above all, we want to see a thriving, inclusive school community where every child is supported to succeed.”

Each of the schools involved have published statements on their websites on the mergers.

In their post on the Robinsfield, Barrow Hill and George Eliot websites, the Chairs of the governing bodies wrote they appreciate the decision “will bring about some changes and perhaps a level of uncertainty.”

“We want to assure you that the new school will build upon the strengths of Barrow Hill Junior, Robinsfield Infant and George Eliot Primary Schools providing a seamless learning experience for all pupils,” the post continued.

“We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for all pupils, staff, and the wider community. We will continue to provide updates and information as we progress towards the amalgamation.

“We want to thank everyone who participated in the consultation process. We are confident that the new school will be a place where pupils can thrive and reach their full potential.”

Westminster City Council decisions: Amalgamation – Barrow Hill Junior, George Eliot Primary and Robinsfield Infant Schools; Amalgamation – Our Lady of Dolours and St Mary of the Angels Catholic Primary Schools.