Why is Oldhill Community School proposed to merge with Harrington Hill Primary School?
Merging the two schools can bring several benefits. It would allow Oldhill Community School’s larger financial deficit to be removed by the Council. An enlarged Harrington Hill Primary School would have access to more funding with more children attending the school. This could provide more teachers, learning materials, and support extra activities such as school trips, breakfast and afterschool clubs. A two form entry school would be financially stronger with more focus on educating children and less on both these schools currently struggling to meet costs. There would continue to be a school in the local area so that children continue learning in a familiar environment, even if some changes are made.
Harrington Hill Primary School and Oldhill Community School are close, less than 1000 metres from each other or a 15 minute walk. Using Harrington Hill’s site for the merged school would increase the overall number of children on the site and provide places for Oldhill children.
More information can be found in the September 2024 Cabinet report and in the January 2025 Cabinet report.
What would the merger between Oldhill Community School and Harrington Hill Primary School look like?
A merger with Harrington Hill Primary School would require the closure of Oldhill Community School and the enlargement of Harrington Hill Primary School from one form of entry (30 children per year group) to two forms of entry (60 children per year group), to accommodate the displaced Oldhill Community School pupils.
What would happen to the additional resource provision (ARP) for children with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) if Oldhill Community School merges with Harrington Hill Primary?
Oldhill Community School has an additional resource provision (ARP), a specialist provision for 10 pupils with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC).
If the proposal to merge Oldhill Community School with Harrington Hill Primary School goes ahead, the council would move the ARP to Harrington Hill, so that the children who currently attend it could move over with it.
The council understands that these changes may be difficult for the pupils and will prioritise minimising the impact of proposals and promote continuity of provision wherever possible.
Will the merged school be given a new name?
If the proposal to merge Oldhill Community School with Harrington Hill Primary School goes through, the merged school will maintain the name Harrington Hill at this stage in the process. After the merge is finalised, the governing body can decide if they would like to consider changing the name of the school.
What would happen to the staff at Harrington Hill Primary School in case of a merger?
The expansion of Harrington Hill Primary School would not affect the employment of the staff or its Headteacher.
How many children does Oldhill Community School have? How many children would Harrington Hill Primary School have if it merged with Oldhill Community School?
The number of pupils likely to be impacted is set out in the table below based on the October 2024 census. The number of children potentially impacted is constantly changing as pupils join and leave schools.
It is anticipated that some families will exercise their right to apply to other schools local to their home and move children prior to a final decision.
| School | R | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrington Hill Primary School | 19 | 20 | 17 | 23 | 23 | 28 | 28 | 158 |
| Oldhill Community School | 29 | 20 | 24 | 41 | 38 | 37 | 39 | 228 |
| Total | 48 | 40 | 41 | 64 | 61 | 65 | 67 | 386 |
Will the quality of learning offered at Harrington Hill Primary School suffer if there will be more pupils coming in?
An enlarged Harrington Hill Primary School would mean more funding with more children attending the school. Increased resources would help establish a more resilient and sustainable, single school going forward, maximising opportunities for improved accommodation and facilities. There would be greater potential to offer an enhanced range of wraparound and extended provision for the benefit of both school communities.
The enlarged school would need to employ more teachers bringing greater capacity to offer high quality education and support to allow all children to reach their potential, particularly the more vulnerable. There would be increased leadership capacity to ensure the continuity of strong educational outcomes for its pupils.
Is there going to be an additional teaching assistant as the number of the students in the class will increase?
It would be up to the governing body of the merged school to decide on what to spend the additional funding they would be entitled to - this could include more support staff.
Is the merger going to affect school uniforms?
After the merger is finalised, the governing body can decide if they would like to consider any change to uniforms. All families will be able to apply for support with the cost of buying new uniforms if that is required as a result of implementing this proposal.
Where can I find more information about the proposals?
You can read the full statutory notices on the Council's consultation page.
Can I still share my views on the proposals?
A 28-day representation period began on 6 February, when the Council published statutory proposals.
Any person may object to or make comments on the proposals within four weeks of the date of their publication by:
- visiting the website
- emailing school.sufficiency@hackney.gov.uk
- writing to:
School Sufficiency and Estates Team
Hackney Council
Hackney Service Centre
1 Hillman Street
London, E8 1DY
The last date for receiving responses is 5 March 2025 at 5pm.