School closures consultation 'paused' following backlash from parents and teachers

Enfield Council had been expected on Monday to launch a six-week consultation on the possible closure of three schools

Bishop Stopford’s School and (inset) cabinet member Chris Dey

Enfield Council has agreed to pause the launch of a public consultation on whether to close three schools.

The Conservative-run council’s ruling cabinet had decided last week to go-ahead with the consultation, just 24 hours after being asked to reconsider by members of the overview and scrutiny committee – a move described as a “farce” by opposition Labour councillors.

It had been announced that the consultation would launch on Monday (9th), but this didn’t happen, and the council has since confirmed that it has been paused to allow more time to consider “further information” being provided by the affected schools.

Chris Dey, the council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “The proposed consultations on falling pupil numbers affecting Bishop Stopford’s School, Starks Field Primary and Suffolks Primary School have been paused.

“We want to make sure that the three school communities, and the wider educational needs of the borough, are at the heart of this process.

“The schools have indicated that they have some further information that may be relevant to the decision to go out to consult. The pause will give each school the opportunity to provide any further information they believe we should consider, including evidence on pupil numbers.

“Cabinet will then carefully review that information alongside the consultation documents before deciding whether to proceed.

“We are absolutely committed to making this a transparent process, and we will keep you updated on any new developments and timings.”

The pause to the consultation has been widely welcomed.

Hollie Welch, a parent of a pupil at Suffolks Primary School, said it was a “positive step” and called on council leader Alessandro Georgiou to “listen, properly assess the available options and give genuine consideration to alternative proposals”

She continued: “Suffolks has a strong viability plan for the future of the school, built around an inclusive model that would continue to support children regardless of their individual needs. It offers something genuinely unique within the borough, bringing mainstream and specialist provision together in a way that benefits the whole school community.

“We are hopeful that this pause will provide a genuine opportunity for the school’s strengths, the needs of its children and the alternative proposals put forward to be properly considered.”

At Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons today (Wednesday 11th) Enfield North MP Feryal Clark invited Andy Burnham to visit Suffolks to see the “excellent work” of the school and how it was “already delivering the inclusive education model” the government has been championing in its proposed reforms to education for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).

Burnham replied that he would “love” to visit the school as a “beacon of best practice” – but only when “my diary allows”.

In response to the news of the pause to the school closures consultation, Clark said: “While falling pupil numbers present genuine challenges, decisions affecting children’s futures must be based on accurate evidence, meaningful consultation, and proper scrutiny.

“This pause is a testament to the determination of parents, pupils, teachers and governors who have fought tirelessly for their schools. They deserve enormous credit.”

The Labour MP added: “The council must now rebuild trust by ensuring any future consultation is fair, transparent and meaningful, with parents, teachers and governors genuinely listened to and every alternative to closure fully explored. Above all, our children’s futures must come first.”

Also reacting to the news, the opposition Labour group’s education spokesperson Abdul Abdullahi said: “I welcome this decision. It is exactly what parents, staff, governors, and local communities have been asking for from the very beginning. It is important that the council undertake a proper and meaningful consultation.

“Nobody is suggesting that the challenges around falling pupil numbers should be ignored. However, decisions of this magnitude must be based on accurate information, robust evidence, and genuine engagement with those affected.”

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