‘Enormous opposition’: Teachers’ union urges council to listen during school closures consultation

A protest against school closures outside the Town Hall earlier this month. Photograph: Hackney NEU / X

The Hackney branch of the National Education Union (NEU) has said there is “enormous opposition” to council plans to shut down four schools – as the public consultation process begins.

Sir Thomas Abney, St Dominic’s, St Mary’s and Oldhill primary schools are currently facing ‘full closure’ or mergers with other schools in the borough due to falling pupil numbers.

On 30 September, Deputy Mayor Anntoinette Bramble laid out the “difficult” decisions affecting six primary schools, as parents and school staff urged the council to halt its proposals.

Declining pupil numbers has put financial pressure on schools to the point that they can no longer maintain them, according to councillors.

A Town Hall report stated that Hackney’s primary schools receive over £28.5m less in funding than they would if classrooms were full.

In a press release last week, the council said it expected to reduce vacant school places by 18 per cent by closing the schools.

The consultation period began last week and lasts until 19 November.

If approved, the schools will close or merge by 31 August 2025.

Jamie Duff, Hackney NEU district officer, said this process must “genuinely” account for the views of school staff, parents and the community.

“We demand the council listens. What is clear is that there is an enormous amount of opposition to these school closures and I am pretty sure this will be reflected in the consultation outcome.

“We will expect the council to act accordingly. We will be keeping a close eye on the consultation process and its outcomes.”

The NEU is organising a public meeting on Wednesday 23 October at Urswick School in central Hackney.

“We expect it to be big,” said Duff. “The community has already made it clear that they are not willing to stand by and let the council close these schools.

“The meeting will be a chance for all four school communities to come together to make their voice heard.”

In the council press release sent on 8 October, Cllr Bramble said: “Like so many other local authorities, [Hackney] is facing incredible financial challenges in trying to respond to the diverse needs of all our communities.

“It is our role to find the best possible solutions to make sure our schools are fit for the future, and to make the difficult choice of how to spend our very limited resources so that no child is left behind.

“This problem is not just a Hackney issue. We will continue to work with our partners and ask for help from the central government to find long term solutions for all London boroughs, so that all our pupils can continue to receive the quality education they deserve.”