Townsend Primary School has been rated highly by Oftsed
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Townsend Primary School in Walworth may be forced to close as falling enrolment numbers leads to funding cuts.
Despite these plans, parents are campaigning against these closures.
Southwark Council says that the school may have to close in September 2022, with the main reason being a steady decline in the number of children in the borough during the last decade.
The school is currently running at 66% capacity, according to data from the 2021 Census.
This decline has a serious impact on school finances, as funding is based on enrolment.
Mum Katy Scriven believes the closure is not necessary, and is starting a petition to the council to protest the closure of the school.
She said: “I just think that more should’ve been done because they sat on this for years.
“We’re not sure they’ve done everything they possibly can.”
“My daughter was only just getting her self-confidence from being at that school because it’s so amazing what the teachers and the staff do.
“It’s easy to sit back and let Southwark Council do their thing and just take everything away from us.
“I’m fighting for the children, and if we lose, at least we tried fighting for them.”
A loss to the community
Despite vacancies at Townsend, Ofsted’s 2019 report rated the school “good” overall, an improvement on the last inspection.
They were also rated Outstanding in children’s personal development, behaviour and welfare.
Katy’s daughter, 8-year-old Jessica, is also worried about the future of her school and said: “It makes me feel very, very sad and upset and I’m going to miss all my friends.
“If I have to go to a new school, I’m scared I’m not going to fit in.”
St. John’s, another school in Walworth is not reopening in September 2021 due to falling enrolment.
Southwark Council and Townsend Primary School were contacted for interview but declined to comment.
The consultation on the closure of Townsend Primary School, near Salisbury Row Park, will begin on January 3 2022.
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Standfirst
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HeadlineSouth London primary school threatened with closure as pupil numbers plummet
Short HeadlinePrimary school could close over declining numbers
StandfirstParents plan to set up a petition to the council and save their school.
Townsend Primary School in Walworth may be forced to close as falling enrolment numbers leads to funding cuts.
Despite these plans, parents are campaigning against these closures.
Southwark Council says that the school may have to close in September 2022, with the main reason being a steady decline in the number of children in the borough during the last decade.
The school is currently running at 66% capacity, according to data from the 2021 Census.
This decline has a serious impact on school finances, as funding is based on enrolment.
Mum Katy Scriven believes the closure is not necessary, and is starting a petition to the council to protest the closure of the school.
She said: “I just think that more should’ve been done because they sat on this for years.
“We’re not sure they’ve done everything they possibly can.”
“My daughter was only just getting her self-confidence from being at that school because it’s so amazing what the teachers and the staff do.
“It’s easy to sit back and let Southwark Council do their thing and just take everything away from us.
“I’m fighting for the children, and if we lose, at least we tried fighting for them.”
A loss to the community
Despite vacancies at Townsend, Ofsted’s 2019 report rated the school “good” overall, an improvement on the last inspection.
They were also rated Outstanding in children’s personal development, behaviour and welfare.
Katy’s daughter, 8-year-old Jessica, is also worried about the future of her school and said: “It makes me feel very, very sad and upset and I’m going to miss all my friends.
“If I have to go to a new school, I’m scared I’m not going to fit in.”
St. John’s, another school in Walworth is not reopening in September 2021 due to falling enrolment.
Southwark Council and Townsend Primary School were contacted for interview but declined to comment.
The consultation on the closure of Townsend Primary School, near Salisbury Row Park, will begin on January 3 2022.
