A GROUP of opposition councillors have “called in” Labour’s decision last week to merge two primary schools.

Montem and Duncombe schools, both in Finsbury Park, are being brought together due to falling rolls, part of a trend caused by the housing crisis in Islington.

The merger, which was agreed last week at the council’s executive, means the Montem school building will close.

The opposition group say the call in – a chance for a panel to have another, in-depth look at a decision already made – is an “important milestone” after more than a decade without one at Islington Council.

The three Islington Greens and two independent councillors, Matt Nathan and Asima Shaikh, want to see Montem and Drayton Park Primary School continue to work together in federation. They are also concerned that more schools in the borough could close.

Councillor Benali Hamdache, the Greens’ leader in Islington, said: “We’re concerned about the salami-slicing approach the council is taking, closing schools here and there. There is a borough-wide crisis on student numbers so the problem requires a borough-wide holistic approach where everyone affected is properly consulted. This is the first time a decision has been ‘called in’ in Islington in over a decade. This is an important milestone in council democracy and accountability.”

Islington’s leader, Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz, said: “Islington’s Labour-run Council is committed to giving our young people the best possible start in life, and that includes a first-class education.

“Councils across London, including Islington, are dealing with an excess of spaces in schools due to the housing crisis, Brexit and low birth rates, but the Government’s ideological decision to issue an academy order for Pooles Park School has harmed our plan for this and means that we now need to look at other solutions to tackle this issue.

“Our council has looked at schools across the borough, analysing all possible solutions and impacts on children, in particular those with SEND, and we believe the amalgamation of Duncombe and Montem is the best way forward to bring the best of both these good schools together.

“This call-in by opposition councillors is simply playing politics with the lives of our children. They haven’t put forward a feasible alternative solution and they will now leave the children and teachers of both Duncombe and Montem in limbo while they play political games. 

“We will continue to take this issue seriously and put forward sensible, constructive solutions to put Islington’s children first.”