Schools adjudicator overturns decision by council to close primary school citing “notable deficiencies” in statutory process

The watchdog’s determination, published last week (24 June), discusses the proper approach to consulting on, and evidencing, proposals for school amalgamation or closure.

On 4 November 2024, Lambeth’s Cabinet approved a proposal that St John the Divine Church of England Primary School - a voluntary aided school maintained by the council – should close, and its pupils offered places at another local school, Christ Church Primary SW9.

However, the school’s governing body, which opposed the closure, exercised its right of referral to the Adjudicator under the Education and Inspections Act 2006. 

Quashing the closure, the Adjudicator found officers had misunderstood how amalgamations work, and concerns were raised over financial modelling of the merged school becoming “strong and sustainable”.

Further, the watchdog said: “Having considered [the] evidence, I find that Lambeth’s implied assumption that all pupils from St John the Divine will join Christ Church Primary SW9 is overly optimistic and cannot be justified.

“In relation to future demand, Lambeth may well be right that “demand is maintained in spite of the number or type of schools available”, but I am not persuaded that any methodology for estimating future demand can be indicative of the choices parents may make should their child’s school close.”

Reversing the council’s decision to amalgamate the two primary schools, the adjudicator concluded Lambeth had been wrong to conclude that the school was inherently unviable, and found “serious shortcomings” in the council’s consultation.

Lambeth Council is one of the worst affected boroughs in the country by falling rolls, with 1,000 fewer children starting at primaries than a decade ago. 

In January last year, London Councils warned schools in London are experiencing a continued drop in demand for places, causing “major implications” for the future of schools across the capital.

Lambeth Council has been approached for comment.

Lottie Winson