St Dominic's Primary School FAQs

Why was St Dominic’s Catholic Primary School proposed for closure?

The Council is proposing to close St Dominic's Catholic Primary School because of the low number of children on roll and the deteriorating financial position of the school. The school is located on a site with buildings capable of accommodating two forms of entry (60 children per year group) but is only able to fill places for a one 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 budget position is very likely to further deteriorate making it unsustainable in the medium term. To 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.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster acknowledges that St Dominic's Catholic Primary School is not sustainable in its current circumstance and in view of the further projected decline in pupil numbers for the area. The Diocese will therefore support the Council and school through the consultation process.

More information can be found in the September 2024 Cabinet report and in the January 2025 Cabinet report.

Why wasn’t St Dominic's Catholic Primary School proposed for a merger? Couldn’t it host a merger with another nearby school?

Other options were considered for consultation but could not be taken forward as they were not considered workable alternatives either because the schools could not host the combined pupil groups, the distance between the schools was not reasonable or, in the case of a local Church of England School, the responsible diocese did not consider this a suitable option. 

A merger with St Scholastica’s RC was considered, given that both are catholic schools, but the Council and the school’s governing body agreed that the distance between the schools make this option unworkable for many families.

Are there sufficient places for St Dominic's Catholic Primary School children in other nearby schools?

There are sufficient places at other schools within statutory walking distance to accommodate all pupils on roll. The Council will be working closely with the Diocese to support families to move to other Catholic schools if that is their preference. 

It is anticipated children would move to other schools local to their home such as Berger, Gainsborough, Daubeney, Morningside, Orchard and possibly St John of Jerusalem CE or the nearest Catholic schools, namely St Scholastica’s RC or St Elizabeth Catholic Primary School (Tower Hamlets).

Analysis of vacancies at nearby schools shows that there is capacity to accommodate all Hackney pupils within statutory walking distance. More information can be found in the Appendix to the Cabinet report. 

If the decision is made to close the school, the Council’s admissions team will be offering further information and support for families affected throughout the process. 

Will families with more than one child be supported so that their children can all go to the same school? 

The council will work closely with affected families to ensure all children are offered a suitable alternative school place if proposals are implemented. A dedicated admissions officer will assist parents with information and guidance and will support families to apply for alternative schools. The council will ensure that applications for siblings are considered together and all children in the same family are offered places together at the same school. 

If the school closes will we be guaranteed a place in our chosen school, local to our home?

If the council decide in April 2025 to close the school, then from that decision until the end of the school year, children whose school will close will be given priority for places at most Hackney schools (ie. those where the council is the admission authority).

The council will offer all children a place at a suitable alternative school, but it is not possible to guarantee places at each parents preferred school as some schools may be full already.

Parents have the right to apply to other schools and move their children at any time via the council’s In Year Admissions process.  

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:

The last date for receiving responses is 5 March 2025 at 5pm.

This page was last modified on: 5 Feb 2025
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