Council cabinet member for education says despite Calverton Primary School being “close to my heart” it had “not been possible” to avoid closing it, reports Nick Clark, Local Democracy Reporter

Calverton Primary School and (inset) cabinet member Sarah Ruiz — Calverton Primary School and (inset) cabinet member for education Sarah Ruiz

A primary school in Newham is set to close next year after council leaders sealed its fate yesterday (Tuesday 16th).

Newham Council says falling pupil numbers and a £1.1million budget deficit means it can’t afford to keep Calverton Primary School in Custom House open.

Sarah Ruiz, responsible for education, said she was “really sorry that it has come to this” as the council’s cabinet voted to approve the closure.

She said the school – which her daugher once attended – was “really close to my heart”. But the cabinet member for education also said it had “not been possible to avoid the proposed closure”.

Council leaders made the decision as the school’s budget deficit is underpinned by falling pupil numbers.

The amount of funding a school receives depends on the number of pupils it has. But schools across London are facing falling pupil numbers.

The council says a number of schools in the borough are having to reorganise classes and cut staff to cope with falling pupil numbers.

But it says Calverton Primary School is in an even worse position as its pupil numbers have fallen faster than others.

The cabinet voted to go ahead with the closure after consultations with parents and staff.

In a consultation earlier this year, 150 people opposed the closure, saying it would be “deeply unfair”, “devastating for families” and “utterly catastrophic.

One parent said: “The school is close to our home, making it a convenient and essential part of our daily lives, especially as a single mother of two that matters more than words can say.

“Calverton provides not only education but also stability and support for families like mine.”

Several people raised worries about the effect closure would have on children with special education needs and disabilities (Send).

Calverton Primary School has a dedicated resource provision for children with Send called the Treehouse, which supports pupils with more severe learning difficulties.

One parent said: “The effect the closure will have on not only the SEN but all the pupils of Calverton will be utterly catastrophic. All the confidence and trust that has built up over the years, it will be snatched away from them.”

However the council says there was no “viable alternative” to closure as pupil numbers are expected to fall further, and because of the size of the deficit.

Cllr Ruiz told the cabinet the decision “gives me absolutely no pleasure whatsoever”.

She said: “It’s a school that my daughter went to from nursery to juniors. This is actually really close to my heart.

Cllr Ruiz added: “I’m really sorry that it has come to this.”

She also said she wanted to thank school staff who had “worked tirelessly with us to find alternatives”.

Cllr Ruiz said: “Your dedication and support to the pupils and parents has been exemplary.”

Council officers told the cabinet that the school would close on 31st August 2026. They said that “wherever possible” the council would send pupils to their parent’s preferred new school and keep siblings together.

Council plans say that if this is not possible, the pupil would be allocated a space at their closest school with a suitable place.

Plans also say parents of children with Send would have early reviews of their education health and care plans, which may name a suitable school.

Council officers said their needs would continue to be met at other schools, and they would meet parental preference “wherever possible”.

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