‘History repeats’: School closures spark growing fears over special needs support
Students at Oldhill – one of the schools facing the possibility of shutting down.
Parents and teachers in Hackney are worried about the absence of a solid strategy for supporting vulnerable children with special needs, as their schools prepare for potential closure next year.
In September, the local council revealed intentions to close as many as four primary schools in the area by the end of August 2025, citing a decline in student enrollment and financial shortfalls as the main reasons.
Recent suggestions may lead to the combination of Sir Thomas Abney and Holmleigh Primary, as well as Oldhill and Harrington Hill Primary. Meanwhile, St. Dominic’s and St. Mary’s are set to close down for good.
The council has assured families that there will be sufficient school spots available in the area if the closures go forward. However, it has faced significant backlash from those concerned about the consequences for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
"It's extremely frightening for the parents," shares a teacher from Oldhill Primary in Stoke Newington, who preferred to stay unnamed.
The Town Hall's initial proposal was to combine Oldhill with Harrington Hill in Clapton. This change would increase the number of classes at Harrington Hill from one to two, accommodating 60 students in each grade.
As part of this plan, the alternative resource provision (ARP) unit at Oldhill will be relocated to Harrington Hill.
If the merger does not proceed, the council intends to close Oldhill and its ARP but will redirect resources to another nearby school that can accommodate SEND students.
The teacher stated that the Town Hall's suggestions might lead to vulnerable students being separated from their peers. Furthermore, the way the transition is being handled doesn't seem to be logical for either option.
They've announced that they'll prioritize children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and those in the ARP for admission to The Garden and Ickburgh special schools, but those schools are already full, leaving no availability for these kids.
In the meantime, they've suggested that parents consider applying to any school. However, parents have pointed out that not all schools are equipped to address the unique needs of certain students. As a result, council officials have stated they will inquire about the possibility of making some exceptions.
"There is no strategy in place. The truth is that they are abandoning our most at-risk students, leaving them with nothing except an empty promise," she stated.
An EHCP, which stands for Educational Health and Care Plan, is a formal document that grants a child or young person with more significant educational needs access to additional support beyond what is typically provided by schools.
According to government guidelines, regular schools and colleges can allocate as much as £6,000 from their own funds for each student with these extra needs.
Carly Slingsby, a teacher at St. Dominic's and an organizer for the National Education Union (NEU), believes that the council's handling of the school closures reveals more significant issues.
"Last year, we discussed a lot about their failure to plan for the needs of students with special educational needs. Sadly, it seems we're witnessing the same issues again."
"For example, about 35 percent of the students at our school have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which is significantly more than the national average. This trend is also seen in other schools on the list, like Oldhill."
Hackney has committed to enhancing support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) because they are investing a significant amount of money on sending these students to private schools outside the borough.
Instead of viewing these underutilized schools as an opportunity and considering how to make the most of the available space—perhaps by creating facilities that serve multiple purposes—they are simply shutting down more and more of these locations.
In 2021, the council’s strategy for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) outlined plans to expand local special services by 2025. This would allow more children and young people to attend schools within their own communities.
Jose Fernandez, a teacher at Oldhill and a member of the NEU, expressed his concerns about the merger and the potential risks it could pose to support for students with special needs. He mentioned that he is particularly worried because his son has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
“There simply isn’t enough room. It’s not comparable to shifting a shoe box from one spot to another. Careful planning is essential to approach this correctly.”
He indicates that the 120 special educational needs (SEN) students at Oldhill, including 38 with further needs, are likely to have difficulty receiving adequate support with either option presented by the council, since the additional funding they currently receive is insufficient.
"When a child with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is in a classroom with 30 students, the school often lacks the necessary resources to support them effectively. Typically, a class has one teacher and one teaching assistant, but in this situation, they would also need to address the needs of 10 children with special requirements."
"The school is facing a budget shortfall because the funding provided for students with special needs is insufficient. In our group, 60 percent of the students have special needs, which forces schools to depend on temporary staff to ensure there are enough caregivers for these children."
"Wherever these kids find themselves, the way the system works means there will always be a shortfall."
The council has announced that key workers specializing in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) will be offering direct assistance to families of children who have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Their role will be to help these families find a suitable school that can address their children's specific needs.
Cllr Antoinette Bramble, Hackney's deputy mayor and cabinet member responsible for education, youth, and children's social services, stated:
We recognize that the suggested changes to the school are upsetting and troubling for many in our community. We wouldn't have chosen to hold discussions about these adjustments if we didn't believe they were important.
"We understand that these suggested changes can be particularly challenging for our most at-risk families, and we are dedicated to hearing their concerns and providing ongoing support during this transition."
“We feel it’s crucial to take action immediately to ensure the education system in Hackney remains strong and to stop the harmful effects of inadequate funding from spreading.”
"We will keep collaborating with our schools to offer essential assistance to both staff and families affected by the proposals, with a focus on supporting our most at-risk children."
The council informed the Citizen that, following a series of school closures at the end of the previous academic year, they are considering transforming one vacant building into a special school.
A representative from the Town Hall stated, "This will assist us in addressing the increasing demand we've observed in recent years and help us achieve our goal of providing high-quality, inclusive, and fair education for everyone."
"The council is collaborating with the schools mentioned in the proposals to offer information and support to families and children throughout the process. This includes guidance on how to apply for school transfers, as well as additional assistance for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)," the spokesperson stated.
The public consultation phase regarding the proposed school closures, where people can express their opinions and provide feedback, concludes on Tuesday, November 19.
The Citizen has learned that parents and staff are organizing a new protest in front of the Town Hall tomorrow at 4:30 PM.
