Statutory Proposal to discontinue Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School

20 March 2024

Islington Council has decided to discontinue Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School, Boadicea Street, London N1 0TB, a Voluntary Aided School with effect from 31 July 2024.

The reason for this decision is due to a fall in pupil numbers and the associated impact on the future viability of Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School.

Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School has been acutely impacted by reduced pupil demand in the area and has the lowest pupil numbers of all schools in Islington.

The school has 210 places but 76 pupils as at the October 2023 School Census, meaning 64% of places aren’t filled. There are six pupils on roll in the current reception year.

The School Roll Projections forecast roll numbers for the local Planning Area to continue to fall across the next five years by a further three to six per cent a year.

Further support

We know that this is a difficult time for you and your family and should you need any additional advice or support, please contact Bright Futures, our family support service on 020 7527 4343 or email bright.futures@islington.gov.uk.

16 February 2024

The representation period has now completed and Islington Council's Executive will make a final decision on the future of Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School at its meeting on 14 March.

18 January 2024

Notice is given, in accordance with Section 15 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (as amended by the Education Act 2011) and the School Organisation (Establishment and Discontinuance of Schools) Regulations 2013, that Islington Council intends to discontinue Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School with effect from 31 July 2024.

Contact Details

Proposal published by the London Borough of Islington, Town Hall, Upper Street, London, N1 2UD

Name, Address and Category of the School it is proposed that should be discontinued

Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School, Boadicea Street, London N1 0TB, a Voluntary Aided School.

Implementation

We propose to close Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School on 31 July 2024.

Reason for Closure

The proposal is due to a fall in pupil numbers and the associated impact on the future viability of Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School.

Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School has been acutely impacted by reduced pupil demand in the area and has the lowest pupil numbers of all schools in Islington.

Pupil numbers and admissions

According to the last school census in October 2023, there were 76 pupils on roll at Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School.

The school’s age range is 3-11 years, and provision is available to boys and girls. There is no boarding provision.

There were two pupils on roll with Education, Health, and Care Plans in October 2023.

Total pupil numbers are significantly lower than the capacity of the school which is currently has a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 210 from Reception to Year 6. This means Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School has a 64% vacancy rate.

Displaced pupils

All existing pupils would be offered a place in a nearby Islington school within walking distance. Further information on distances to other schools is set out in ‘Travel’.

Impact on the Community

All displaced pupils would have access to Ofsted rated ‘Good’ local provision which have spare capacity to accommodate all pupils from Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School. Existing surplus school places within this and all other Islington primary school Planning Areas means that future pupils would continue to have access to local provision. Additionally, displaced pupils would access a more sustainable school system.

Balance of denominational provision

Closing Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School will reduce the balance of Roman Catholic provision in the local area. However, there are three other Roman Catholic schools within statutory walking distance to Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School which currently have vacancies: St John Evangelist RC Primary School (0.9 miles), Sacred Heart RC Primary school (1.1 miles) and St Peter and St Paul RC Primary School (1.4 miles). Collectively, these three Catholic schools have 267 places which can easily accommodate all current pupils from Blessed Sacrament and meet expected demand in the medium to long term. The nearest Roman Catholic schools to Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School are St John Evangelist RC Primary School (0.9 miles) and Sacred Heart RC Primary School (1.1 miles) and as an example, these schools both have seven vacancies in Reception which could accommodate all current Reception pupils at Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School.

Maintained nursery school

Not applicable

Sixth form provision

Not applicable

Special educational needs provision

The existing provision at Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School is not reserved for pupils with special educational needs.

For pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan, their SEND (Special Educational Needs or Disabilities) Keyworker will contact all affected families directly to see if any special transition arrangements are needed to support children.

Travel

Other local schools are less than one mile from Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School. One school (Vittoria Primary School) is immediately next door.

There are three other Roman Catholic schools nearby to Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School which have vacancies: St John Evangelist RC Primary School (0.9 miles), Sacred Heart RC Primary school (1.1 miles) and St Peter and St Paul RC Primary School (1.4 miles).

Related proposals

None.

Procedure for making representations (objections and comments)

Within four weeks from the date of publication of this proposal, any person may object or make comments on the proposal by:

• Email: Schoolconsult@islington.gov.uk
• Post: Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School Proposal, Compton Room, Laycock Centre, Laycock Street, London N1 1TH

The closing date for responses is 5pm on 15 February 2024.

If you require hard copies of this proposal, please email Schoolconsult@islington.gov.uk

Background

We ran an informal consultation on this proposal from 7 November to 12 December 2023 and a copy of this consultation and a report on the responses received is available in Documents.