Note: These FAQs are for informational purposes only. For the latest details about the project and next steps please read the full Cabinet report.
Why was De Beauvoir Primary School proposed for closure?
Due to sustained falling rolls over several years, the school will not be financially viable in the future. Despite capping the number of pupils that the school admits to Reception at 15, the school has been unable to fill all the places. A total of 10 children were offered places to join reception in September 2023 on national offer day.
At the January 2023 census, De Beauvoir recorded 13 children in Reception (a surplus of 17 places, or 57%) and 115 children across all year groups (a surplus of 185 places, or 62%). Based on the number of children on roll, 73% of the intended capacity of the school building is unused.
* assumes 10 children join reception each year and that no children leave or join the school in other year groups. Based on reception to year 6 primary phase only.
Are there sufficient places for De Beauvoir children in other nearby schools?
There are several nearby schools (all of which have been graded ‘Good’ or Outstanding’ by Ofsted) that also have low rolls that children can transfer to (such as Holy Trinity, Princess May and St Matthias, all no further than 0.52 miles away from De Beauvoir).
If in December 2023 the Cabinet decides to close the school, the Council’s admissions team will be offering further information and support for families affected throughout the process.
What will happen with the nursery at De Beauvoir?
If the school closes the nursery will also close, and families will have to seek alternative early years provisions.
There is sufficient capacity in the nursery classes of maintained schools and in the private / voluntary sector to meet current demands for three and four year olds.
Will families with more than one child be supported so that their children can all go to the same school?
Hackney Education will work closely with affected families to ensure all children are offered a suitable alternative school place, and there will be a dedicated officer in the Council to provide the assistance needed. We will ensure that siblings can move to the same school, unless families decide otherwise.
If the school closes will we be guaranteed a place in our chosen school, local to our home?
Until a final decision is made, parents are able to apply to transfer to a school they chose via the normal processes in place. Depending on the type of school they are interested in, its position and the demand for places, there may be different admission criteria (for example, if the preferred school is a voluntary aided one).
If the final decision is made by the Cabinet to close the school, there will be one-to-one support to make sure children secure places at suitable schools, including affording them extra priority for places at nearby schools and ensuring siblings are placed together.
Why wasn’t De Beauvoir proposed for a merger? Couldn’t it host a merger with another nearby school?
De Beauvoir has space to be a two-form entry school based on the capacity of the building. There are a number of schools with vacancies in Hackney, and the possibility of a merger with another school nearby was analysed by the Council. However, such a merger would not lead to sufficiently stable numbers of pupils even for one-form entry in some years.
Given the setting of the building and the existence of four different entries, could part of it be repurposed for other uses until the numbers grow, while the first floor remains for the use of the school?
It isn’t possible to change the use of school estates without proper formal procedures - this falls under the responsibilities of the assets review teams.
Renting parts of a school property could cause safety and safeguarding concerns.
It is unlikely that any additional rental income would be able to counterbalance the significant financial constraints that the school has been suffering.
Why hasn’t the Council promoted the school to prospective parents?
The issue of the falling rolls is an ongoing problem that affects the majority of London’s boroughs and can not be fixed by promoting schools with low numbers. The Council can not promote any particular school over another, as that would mean giving them preferential treatment.
Where can I find more information about the project?
You can find the latest information in the latest Cabinet report. You can also access the initial information pack distributed to families in March 2023: De Beauvoir Primary School information pack.