Statutory Proposal to discontinue Highbury Quadrant Primary School

1 May 2025

Islington Council has decided to discontinue Highbury Quadrant Primary School, Highbury New Park, London N5 2DP, a Community School, with effect from 31 August 2025.

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

Highbury Quadrant Primary School has been acutely impacted by reduced pupil demand in the area. The school currently has capacity for 360 pupils in Reception to Year 6, but as at the January 2025 School Census there were only 144 pupils on roll, meaning 60% of places aren’t filled. Roll numbers for the local Planning Area are forecast to continue to fall in coming years.

By closing this school and guaranteeing all current pupils a place at an alternative ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ Islington school we are better placed to ensure a good quality education for the children of Islington in a sustainable school system.

Further support 

We know that this is a difficult time for parents and carers and pupils at the school 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.

There is information and guidance about applying for a new school in the primary school admissions guide for displaced pupils. You can apply online for an alternative school. If you need any help or advice with making an application, you can contact the Admissions team on 020 7527 5515 or email in-year@islington.gov.uk.

There is support available for the cost of a new school uniform if your child has been displaced due to a school closing. You can request support for school uniform costs online.

If you need this information in another format or another language, please email SchoolConsult@islington.gov.uk.

27 February 2025 

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 Highbury Quadrant Primary School with effect from 31 August 2025.

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 

Highbury Quadrant Primary School, Highbury New Park, London N5 2DP, a Community School.

Implementation 

We propose to close Highbury Quadrant Primary School on 31 August 2025.

Reason for Closure 

The proposal is due to a fall in pupil numbers and its associated impact on the future viability of Highbury Quadrant Primary School. In addition the School has had a budget deficit for a number of years and its buildings and external areas are no longer fit for purpose, requiring significant capital investment.

Pupil numbers and admissions

According to the last school census in October 2024, there were 183 pupils on roll at Highbury Quadrant Primary School.

The school’s age range is 2 -11 years, and provision is available to boys and girls. There is no boarding provision.

There were 14 pupils on roll with Education, Health, and Care Plans in October 2024.

Pupil numbers across Reception to Year 6 were 161 in October 2024, significantly lower than the capacity of the school which is currently 360 places, equating to a 55% vacancy rate. The school is now operating with a PAN of 30, but even once the PAN feeds through into all year groups the school would still have a vacancy rate of 23%.

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’ or ‘Outstanding’ local provision which have spare capacity to accommodate all pupils from Highbury Quadrant Primary School. The level of 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 

Not applicable

Maintained nursery school 

Not applicable

Sixth form provision 

Not applicable

Special educational needs provision 

The existing provision at Highbury Quadrant 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 

There are seven Islington primary schools within 1.5 mile walking distance of Highbury Quadrant Primary School which each have at least ten vacant places from Reception Year to Year 6, totalling 259 places (96 of these are at St Jude and St Paul’s Church of England Primary School). In addition five Hackney primary schools with vacancies in five or more year groups are within 1.5 mile walking distance of Highbury Quadrant Primary School.

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: Future of Highbury Quadrant Primary School, Director of Learning and Achievement, 222 Upper Street, London N1 1XR 

The closing date for responses is 5pm on 27 March 2025. 

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

Alternative formats

Download a copy of this notice in English, Arabic (العربية), Bengali, Pashto, Portuguese, Somali, or Turkish (Türkçe) from 'Documents'.

If you need this proposal in another format or another language, please email schoolconsult@islington.gov.uk

Background 

We ran an informal consultation on this proposal from 7 November to 18 December 2024 and a copy of this consultation and a report on the responses received is available in 'Documents'.