Haringey Council’s cabinet last week agreed to put the future of Tiverton Primary School in Tottenham out public consultation to decide its future.
The four options agreed were to either make no changes; form a federation loosely linking the school to another; amalgamation, which involves closing two schools to make one new school; and closure.
Cllr Zena Brabazon, cabinet member for children, schools, and families, said there was a “perfect storm” affecting schools across London.
“Only three authorities have got rising numbers, out of 33,” she said. “Every other council is seeing a decline and it is regrettable that we are seeing the impact of this on loved and cared-about community schools across our city.”
A report on the school detailed Tiverton’s “financial deficit” following the “gradual decline” of pupil numbers, starting in 2019.
Nearby Stamford Hill Primary School closed down and amalgamated with Tiverton in September 2020.
Cllr Brabazon added the ‘national funding formula’ for schools was based on pupil numbers, and if those fell, so did the school’s budget.
The report said: “The critical London-wide factors of lower birth rates; the cap on rent benefits; families leaving the capital as a result of the housing crisis; Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic have resulted in a reduction in demand for primary school places in the borough which is no fault of the council or our schools.”
In 2017, Tiverton had 352 pupils, but as of September 2024 this figure has halved, falling to 176.
Only 25 pupils began in Reception this year, which equated to an approximate £20,000 loss while a “larger cohort” of Year 6 pupils went to secondary school.
Cllr Brabazon said: “Every pupil has a value, in primary it’s roughly around £4,500, so for every child who doesn’t come, the school loses the money, but you still have to put a teacher in front of the class and you still have to have support assistants.”
Liberal Democrat councillor Dawn Barnes asked how pervasive “similar weaknesses” were in the borough and whether this may be the “first of a number of consultations about closing or amalgamating schools”.
Jane Edwards, the assistant director of children’s services, said: “There are a number of schools we’re working with who are facing difficulties.
“We are pleased to say that the vast majority of them have a recovery plan which we feel confident will help them get themselves back to a balanced position.
“We are working with a number of schools trying to help them think about their financial stability and the number of pupils coming in.”
