Hackney Council’s cabinet will consider formal recommendations to close or merge several schools, with changes scheduled to begin from September 2025
Hackney Council’s Cabinet is set to make a crucial decision next week on the future of six local primary schools, following a months-long consultation over proposed closures and mergers sparked by a sharp decline in pupil numbers across the borough.
At its meeting next week, the Cabinet will consider formal recommendations to close or merge several schools, with changes scheduled to begin from September 2025. The proposals, published in detail in Cabinet papers this week, aim to address the growing financial strain faced by schools as a result of falling enrolment.
The report recommends the closure of St Dominic’s Catholic Primary School, St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, and Oldhill Community School. In the case of Oldhill, the proposal includes merging its pupils with nearby Harrington Hill Primary School, which would expand to two forms of entry. The special educational provision currently based at Oldhill would also be relocated to Harrington Hill.
Sir Thomas Abney Primary School is also proposed for closure, with its pupils to be merged with Holmleigh Primary School. Under the plans, Holmleigh would expand and move to the Sir Thomas Abney site. The Language Resource Provision (LRP) currently operating at Sir Thomas Abney would remain on site but would be run by Holmleigh.
These structural changes were first put forward by Hackney Council in September 2024 in response to an “unprecedented and sustained” drop in the number of children entering primary school. Between 2017 and 2024, Hackney’s mainstream primary schools lost 2,399 pupils – a trend expected to continue, with projections estimating a further drop of 2,637 by 2035.
The situation is already affecting school budgets. In October 2024, 23% of reception places in Hackney remained unfilled. Since school funding is largely determined by pupil numbers, many schools have seen their finances deteriorate, pushing some towards unsustainable deficits.
In February 2025, the Council issued statutory notices of the proposed closures and mergers, triggering a 28-day consultation period during which residents, parents, staff and stakeholders were invited to submit feedback. The Council received 62 responses during this period – the overwhelming majority opposed the proposals, with only one submission supporting the closure of St Dominic’s.
Despite this, the Cabinet papers maintain that the Council should proceed with the changes, arguing that the demographic and financial challenges facing Hackney’s primary sector have not changed. “While we have carefully considered all responses received,” the report notes, “the rationale for change remains compelling, and action is necessary to ensure the sustainability and quality of the borough’s education system.”
If the proposals are approved next week, the Council says it will work closely with affected families, school staff and governors to support them through the transition. “An extensive support offer” is being prepared to help with school transitions, staff redeployment and safeguarding pupil wellbeing.
While the final decision rests with the Cabinet, the issue has stirred strong emotions among parents and educators alike. Many have voiced concerns about the potential disruption to pupils, the loss of community assets, and the risk of longer travel times to school.
However, the Council insists that inaction is not an option. “The continuing fall in demand for school places is putting unsustainable pressure on our schools,” the Cabinet report states. “Without decisive action, the entire education system in Hackney could be at risk.”
Further details, including a timeline and support plans for the affected schools, are expected to be published following the Cabinet’s decision on 22 April.
