Parents have hit out at a “nonsensical” plan to close a well-performing primary school and offer children places elsewhere.
Under Islington Council proposals, Montem Primary School in Hornsey Road would “merge” with Duncombe Primary School in Sussex Way at the start of the next school year.
But parents of children with special educational needs (SEN) have demanded the plans are scrapped, claiming it is “illogical” to close a school rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.
Rawshan Alnwaissri, whose three children have all attended the primary school, described it as her second “family” after her husband died seven years ago.
She said that her eight-year-old son, who is an SEN pupil at the school, used to struggle academically, but has now “started to read and write”.
Speaking outside Islington Town Hall today (February 6), she added: “Montem is a miracle. They protect children with special needs.”
She was accompanied at the protest by her mum, Sousan Aljabory, who praised the teachers at Montem.
She said: “It’s just like a family, it’s like you are going to your home. There is no difference in colour or religion.
“The education there is very high. Islington should be proud to have Montem, they should be honoured.
“The teachers, they are amazing. They need to be an example for all of Islington, for all the schools.”
Both questioned whether SEN pupils would get the same level of support at another school, and urged the council to prioritise education over "money”.
Another mum, who has an autistic 11-year-old at the school, said that the short period of time in which the council is attempting to shut Montem is “nonsensical”.
Toni Alexander said: “This won’t directly affect my son because he’s going to secondary school, but I can’t bear to see this particular school close.
“They’re talking about merging us with another school, when we’re above national average academically.
“Huge amounts of us are single mums with SEN children and the school is getting our kids through their SATs – that’s pretty amazing.”
Islington Council says that the plans are necessary due to a falling birth rate and people moving out of the borough.
The authority describes Montem and Duncombe as being two form entry, claiming this puts both schools' vacancy rates at more than 50% in reception.
But Montem says it informally became a 1.5 entry school in 2021 - something which was due to be formalised from September this year - meaning in reality its vacancy rate is closer to 36%.
The council says that for every unused pupil place in Islington, the school will be missing out on an average of £5,500 a year.
A council spokesperson said: “The proposals to amalgamate Duncombe and Montem primary schools will allow us to ensure educational excellence at Duncombe alongside the school's leadership team.
"We will take the best elements of both schools and will continue to safeguard the strong SEND provision currently on offer at Montem.”
On Thursday (February 8), the council will decide whether to start a formal consultation on the plans.
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