Three north London schools facing closure as pupil crisis worsens

Staff and families are protesting plans to close three schools in north London due to a decline in pupil numbers.Campaigners gathered at Enfield Civic Centre on Tuesday evening ahead of an overview and scrutiny committee meeting, where proposals to close Bishop Stopford School, Starks Field Primary School and Suffolks Primary School were discussed.According to Labour’s call-in request, the Conservative administration’s school closure report contained “material inaccuracies and inconsistencies” and did not adequately explain why the three schools were selected for potential closure or repurposing rather than other schools experiencing similar falling numbers.The council had said it was committed to a "fair, transparent and evidence-based consultation", and that all three schools have been identified as being at high risk.The schools have all experienced falling intakes and growing budget pressures linked to reduced pupil funding.The meeting was held at Enfield Civic CentreGoogle MapsA recent council report showed that Bishop Stopford School was operating at less than 50 per cent capacity.Starks Field Primary School is below 45%, and Suffolks Primary School is projected to fall below 37% occupancy by 2029.Andrea Cassius, head teacher of Suffolks Primary School, accepted that pupil numbers were declining, but cited recent investment in specialist provision for children with additional needs as a reason for staying open. During the summer, the council agreed to double provision for autistic children at the school, from 20 to 40, with a further expansion of another 20 pupils designated for September 2027.The school has recently opened autism units for key stage one and key stage two pupils, alongside speech and language support and other inclusion services.Read MoreMs Cassius said: "We've got a huge range of needs that we meet within our school."We've been working with the borough for two years on giving the borough something that's well needed within the borough to support all of our families."Enfield North MP Feryal Clark,PA MediaEnfield North MP Feryal Clark, who also attended the protest, raised concerns about the impact on pupils at Bishop Stopford School if the proposals were ultimately approved while studying for GCSEs and A-levels.Labour councillor Ian Barnes said that falling pupil numbers were a national issue but argued school closures should not be taken lightly.Should the plans proceed, a six-week consultation will begin on November 9, during which parents, pupils, and staff would be invited to comment on the impact of any closures.