Parents are “very sad” that a “lovely” Peckham nursery is at risk of closure after its pupil numbers fell by almost two-thirds in seven years.
Council-run Ann Bernadt Nursery School, which is no longer “financially viable”. will shut its doors in August if the council decides to approve the closure.
Southwark Council’s cabinet member for education said it was “an outrage” that “a lack of funding from central government” meant schools were closing.
Cassie Ryan, whose child attends the nursery, said: “It’s sad, it’s very sad… I really like this nursery. It’s got a great outdoor space and the staff are lovely. My daughter loves it as well.”
Nurseries and primary schools across the borough, and nationally, are struggling to remain open amid plummeting pupil admissions.
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Ann Bernadt, which Ofsted has rated as Good since 2007, has seen pupil numbers fall from 123 in 2016/17 to 45 in September 2023.
Schools receive funding on a per pupil basis meaning Ann Bernadt has been plunged into a £300,000 deficit, up from £100,000 in 2021/22.
Ermelinda Djalo, another mum who has two children at the nursery, said she was told of the possible closure in September.
She said: “I wasn’t happy at all because it’s close to my house and I have another baby that I sometimes bring to the baby group here.”
She explained that the class sizes were small enough for children to receive proper attention from teachers. “I like the environment I like the headteacher here, she’s very involved with everything going [on] around with the kids,” she said.
Before making any decision on closure, Southwark has launched a consultation process giving parents and other stakeholders a chance to share their views on the situation.
Those discussions can involve parents and carers, staff, governors, the local MP and the Southwark Diocesan Board.
Southwark Council said it has already tried to stabilise the nursery’s finances, such as staff restructuring, with little success.
Cllr Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for children, education and refugees, said: “It is well known that many schools and nurseries across London have struggled with the effects of a falling birth rate. It is an outrage that this, when combined with a per capita funding model and a lack of funding from central government, means that the cost of provision, running costs and fair pay for experienced staff is not met in schools or nurseries.
“Ann Bernadt Nursery school has been in significant deficit for some time, and has worked extremely hard, supported by the local authority, to balance its finances. Despite this, it has not been possible to reduce the deficit enough – no decision has been taken by the nursery as yet.”
A council report says the building will remain a place of education and that it had identified a local need for provision to support children with autism.
It added that the closure could also present an opportunity to “develop the offer” being developed by the Children’s Centre which is adjacent to the nursery.
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It added that the closure could also present an opportunity to “develop the offer” being developed by the Children’s Centre which is adjacent to the nursery.
Southwark’s birth rate has fallen by 33 per cent since 2012 – equivalent to around 1,650 childbirths – and in Peckham and Nunhead the fall is 35 per cent. This has had a far-reaching impact on the financial viability of schools across the borough.
Kintore Way, an outstanding-rated nursery in Bermondsey, is facing staff cuts amid a £450,000 budget deficit.
But plummeting pupil admissions has proved most severe for Southwark’s primary schools.
Townsend Primary School in Walworth closed its doors in the summer as did St Francesca Cabrini Primary School in Honor Oak.
Meanwhile, Cobourg Primary School has merged with Camelot Primary School and St Jude’s is consulting on a merger with Charlotte Sharman Primary School.