Why is Oldhill Community School included in these proposed changes?
The Council is including Oldhill Community School in proposals because of the low number of children on roll and the deteriorating and unrecoverable financial position of the school. The school is located on a site with buildings capable of accommodating up to 2 forms of entry (60 children per year group) but is only able to fill places for a 1 form entry (30 children per year group).
Having reviewed the school’s financial position against its reducing pupil roll the Council has concluded that the school’s deficit budget position is very likely to deteriorate further making it unsustainable in the medium term. To address the school’s deficit balance and reach a sustainable financial position it is likely to compromise the quality of education and standards at the school. This would also have an adverse impact on children with the highest level of need.
More information can be found in the September 2024 Cabinet report and in the January 2025 Cabinet report.
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 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.
Why can’t Oldhill Community School host a merger with another school?
Oldhill Community School’s accumulated deficit (projected to be £1.7 million in April 2025) would be written off by the Council in the event of closure, removing the unrecoverable financial burden from the continuing and enlarged Harrington Hill Primary School. Harrington Hill Primary School would therefore be in a better position to maintain quality education given the additional revenue that would result from having an increased pupil roll.
What would happen to the staff at Oldhill Community School?
The closure of Oldhill will affect all staff including the Headteacher. The Council will provide all staff with support to have the confidence to apply for new roles. There may be redeployment opportunities available within the Council for staff affected by redundancy. Our priority would be to ensure that staff at risk of redundancy are supported fully throughout this transition, just as we would be supporting our children and families. This will include a programme of support, advice and training activity including access to an employee assistance programme, offering confidential advice and counselling.
How many children does Harrington Hill Primary 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 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.
How will a merger affect children at Oldhill Community School with special educational needs? Will they receive the support they need?
The council will work with schools and families to ensure that children with SEND, with or without Education, Health & Care plans (EHCPs), including those who attend the additional resource provision for children with autism, continue to receive high quality, suitable provision that meets their needs. EHCP applications that are in process will continue to be assessed with support from the plan coordinators.
Is the merger going to affect school uniforms?
After the merge 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 proposals.
What if I want my child to attend a different school?
Parents have the right to apply to other schools and move their children at any time via the council’s In Year Admissions process. If the council decide to close/merge schools in April 2025, then from that decision until the end of the school year, children whose school will close will be given extra priority for places at most Hackney schools (ie. those where the council responsible for admissions).
Although parents have a right to apply for an alternative school place at any time, we hope children will stay at their current school through to the end of the academic year to support their wellbeing, so that they have a proper ending at the school and then all transition together to the new merged school in September 2025.
A dedicated admissions officer will assist parents with information and guidance and will support families to apply for alternative schools if that is what they prefer.
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 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.
What would happen to the Oldhill Children’s Centre if Oldhill Community School merges with Harrington Hill Primary School or closes?
The Children’s Centre at Oldhill Community School will remain on the same site and continue under the management of another school or the Council, regardless of the outcome of these proposals.
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.