Agenda item

RESOLVED

That : 

1)    the responses from the consultation based on the proposals set out, along with the Equalities Impact Assessment, be duly considered;

2)    the (technical) closure of the Whitehall Infant School on Monday 31st August 2026 and the extension of the age range of the Whitehall Junior School, to amalgamate both schools to create an all-through primary school from Tuesday 1st September 2026, be approved.

Reasons for decisions

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education introduced a report proposing, following consultation, the amalgamation of Whitehall Infant School and Whitehall Junior School into a single three form entry maintained primary school for children aged 3 to 11. It was advised that both schools were community maintained, located adjacent to one another and shared a single site; no land or buildings would be affected, and all assets would transfer automatically to the new primary school, if approved.

The proposal followed the Council’s Infant and Junior School Amalgamation Policy, under which governing bodies are required to consider amalgamation when specific trigger conditions are met. One such trigger arose following confirmation that the Headteacher of Whitehall Infant School would retire in August 2026. In response, both governing bodies explored the potential for amalgamation and proceeded to formal consultation.

The Cabinet Member emphasised that the Council was not proactively seeking to amalgamate schools, but ongoing declines in birth rates and pupil numbers, affecting London schools more widely, were placing increasing financial pressure on school sustainability. Both Whitehall schools had already reduced their published admissions numbers from three forms of entry to two from September 2025.

During consultation, the proposal was considered by the Children, Families and Education Select Committee, which recognised that amalgamation would support consistent teaching and support approaches while delivering efficiencies through economies of scale, building on the existing strengths of both schools.

The Leader of the Council supported the proposal, noting the importance of maximising funding directed to frontline teaching rather than administration. The Leader stated that amalgamation was a necessary and responsible response to falling rolls, ensuring schools remained viable and that resources flowed directly to improving educational outcomes for children.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided not to amalgamate the two schools or consider proposing federating the schools under a single governing body, but discounted these options for the reasons set out in the report.