Parents at St Francesca Cabrini Primary School say the revelation that Southwark primary schools are in financial crisis has “parents panicking” and the situation is being kept too “hush hush”.
Last week, in a News exclusive, we revealed that sixteen primary schools are in a budget deficit, a figure set to rise to 37 in 2023 if the government doesn’t take “urgent action”.
Mums and dads at St Francesca Cabrini, Honor Oak, a Catholic primary school which is at risk of closure, have been reacting to the bombshell news.
Ms Kelly, whose daughter is in year five, said: “Parents are panicking already and pulling their kids out of schools before they close. I’m not sure if this school will stay standing until next year.
Exclusive: The fight is on to help sixteen cash-strapped primary schools
“But if the schools haven’t got the money, we can fundraise. It’s too much of a hush hush situation with the schools. I believe there needs to be more communication with the parents.”
The council is demanding the government provide a £1.2 million cash injection, on top of the £1.8 million growth funding already provided, to resolve Southwark primary schools’ £3 million budget deficit.
However, the council has so far refused to specifically say which schools are at risk, telling parents to enquire with the schools themselves.
Kenny, whose children attend the school, said: “What if I take them to another school and that gets closed down? That’s the thing which worries me right now.”
Under the current national funding formula (NFF), primary schools receive central government funding on a ‘per-pupil’ basis but primary school rolls have been decimated in recent years.
The council says this is due to falling birth rates and an exodus of families due to Brexit, Covid-19, the cost-of-living crisis and rising house prices.
Amie Drammeh, whose daughter is in year six, said: “It’s really sad because this school has been here so long. My son who just did his GCSEs went here.”
The council has said there are ways for schools to balance the books such as by reducing the Pupil Admission Number, merging with other schools, or restructuring.
As well as asking the government for a £1.2 million cash injection, the council is demanding the government rethink the current NFF.
However, in a letter to Southwark’s education boss Cllr Jasmine Ali, Nadhim Zahawi, the Secretary of State for Education, said the government was already doing enough.
He argued that “88% of local authority maintained schools are in a cumulative surplus or breaking even” and that the NFF distributes money “fairly”.
Wuraola, who has a son in year two, said: “We’re hoping we can revive the school back if the government can provide the funding that is needed.
“I know the government is really struggling but that’s the best thing they could do for Southwark. I’m afraid of taking my child out of school because he’s really settled it.”
Sameria Zahabi, a student nurse whose two children attend St Francesca said: “I’m heartbroken to be honest – a lot of parents are. I love it here – the teachers are great.”
The News has approached the council, the Department for Education and St Francesca Cabrini for their latest comments.