A group of parents have launched legal action against Islington Council, claiming it “deliberately manipulated” crucial information when deciding to shut their children’s primary school.
Parents at St Jude and St Paul’s Primary School are fighting to keep the school open after Islington confirmed plans to close it —along with Highbury Quadrant School—at the end of August.
They have now submitted papers to the High Court seeking a Judicial Review, as they believe the decision to close St Jude and St Paul’s is unfair and “glossed over” key information about the school’s finances.
The decision to shut St Jude and St Paul’s comes as councils across London face difficult decisions about whether to shut schools as families continue to leave the capital due to Brexit, the cost of living crisis and a lack of affordable housing.
St Jude and St Paul’s has the lowest pupil numbers of any primary school in Islington, with just 114 out of 210 spaces full and numbers forecast to drop, according to the council. There were just eight children in the school’s nursery in January.
Andri Andreou, who has two daughters at St Jude and St Paul’s primary school, told the Standard: “Our parents really believe we have a strong case. We are not losing children or families.”
She added: “We are not moving our children. We believe the school is going to stay open.
“Even though [the decision] has gone through the council chambers I believe the executive board members have made a decision on what is presented to them.
“But actually what was presented to them isn’t accurate about our financial status.”
The parent explained that she has received a letter saying her youngest child has had her reception place at St Jude and St Paul’s retracted, but she hopes the decision will be overturned and she will still be able to send her daughter to the primary school next year.
Ms Andreou added: “My seven-year-old has special educational needs. I honestly believe if we sent her to another school, we would end up with a school refuser.
“Her level of anxiety is so high that if I were to remove her and put her into another school, she just wouldn’t cope.
“Not only does she cope in this school but she thrives.
“I fully entrust my children are not just being taught, but loved and cared for when they are at school. I don’t think you get that in every school.
“You don’t get that in huge schools where those children are just numbers.”
Ms Andreou has also raised concerns about what will happen to the Mildmay Trust, which helps provide extra music lessons, school trips, laptops and tuition for families in need at the school.
Parents have also raised serious concerns about the long-term impact that closing St Jude and St Paul’s could have on their children.
They insist that the school “serves a diverse and tightly knit community” and that the decision to close the school “lacked a transparent, fair process”.
A statement from parents, seen by the Standard, said: “Parents are deeply committed to protecting our children’s education and the role this school plays in our community. Pursuing a Judicial Review is a significant step in standing up for what we believe is right.
“We hope the court will take a serious look at how this decision was made as we believe vital information was either left out, glossed over or deliberately manipulated to provide the local authority with the outcome they desperately needed at the expense of our children.”
Parents have already been fighting a months long campaign to try and save the school.
Islington Council has described the decision to shut the school, alongside Highbury Quadrant school, as a “last resort,” having exhausted all other options.
It recently told parents that the declining pupil numbers, combined with the way schools are funded nationally, have made it harder for schools to keep operating and “provide their pupils with the high-quality educational experience they deserve”.
All pupils affected by the closure have been guaranteed a place at an alternative ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ Islington school.
