Two primary schools in Elephant and Castle, which are set to merge, are still awaiting a decision – leaving parents and staff ‘in limbo’.
Since April 2023, Charlotte Sharman and St Jude’s primary schools have been in talks about merging – which would see the neighbouring schools join up to become one establishment.
Last year, Cobourg Primary School in Burgess Park merged with Camelot Primary School in Peckham. It is hoped the move – currently happening across London – will combat the financial burden of falling pupil numbers.
At the time, parents at Charlotte Sharman were sent a letter, suggesting that the school would remain on its current site – a detail that was ‘not communicated’ to St Jude’s parents, according to the Southwark branch of the National Educational Union (NEU).
A spokesperson told us: “The staff at Charlotte Sharman are very angry with the whole process and what they have been told. It was never originally mentioned that St Jude’s would keep their DfE and move onto the Charlotte Sharman site keeping their name.
They added: “There has been so much confusion and misinformation. Staff are really worried about their future.”
Now almost a year later, no decision has been made and the future is looking uncertain for parents, staff and students.
From the start, the biggest issue that seems to be causing the delay regards the status of the school. St Jude’s is a Church of England school and Charlotte Sharman is of no fixed faith, yet 80 per cent of its pupils are Muslim.
Over 600 people have signed a petition, organised by Southwark NEU, against Charlotte Sharman becoming a faith school.
But although many are openly opposed to the idea, others just want the matter resolved.
One such parent, who would prefer to remain anonymous, has a son currently in year 4. Asked how it is for him right now, they explained: “He is about to go into the two important years at school not knowing what’s happening. That’s the biggest impact.
They added: “We’re all in limbo until they make a decision.”
If no decision is made soon, both schools will face closure as they are undersubscribed.
“We just want to know what’s going to happen – so we know what to do.”
The consultation process is set to ‘end soon’ although no date has been given. When it ends, it will be up to the Southwark Diocese to decide whether the merger is pursued or not.
Both schools were approached for comment.