Parents and pupils protest about the closure of Montem School

EDUCATION bosses were expected to rubber stamp the closure of a 138-year-old school last night (Thursday).

On Monday, 40 parents and campaigners from Montem Primary School in Finsbury Park gathered outside the Town Hall with banners, whistles and bells, to send a clear message as they chanted: “Save Montem, save our school!”

The council wants to merge Montem in Hornsey Road with Duncombe Primary in Sussex Way at the start of the next academic year, arguing there are not enough pupils to maintain both schools.

At the protest Toni Alexander, who has an 11-year-old son with autism, said: “As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Sousan Aljabory

“This school is unique. It’s an ‘old school’ school. It has a charm about it. And it’s a real school. But the main thing about it is it’s really clear it’s working. It’s achieving. It’s a successful school. Academically, we’re above national average.”

The merger plans follow a failed attempt by the council to close Pooles Park Primary School which is being turned into an academy after an intervention by education secretary Gillian Keegan.

Ms Alexander sug­gested Islington consider merging another school with Montem, meaning it would not have to close.

Toni Alexander

Mother-of-three Ayse Dirgen said the protest was happening to make sure politicians “hear our voices one last time” and questioned Islington’s reasoning for closing their school.

“The numbers here are improving,” she said.

Islington Council says it has been forced to look at schools in the Finsbury Park ward as they have some of smallest classes in the borough.

There are record low numbers of children across the capital as families move out of London in search of more affordable accommo­dation, with a falling birth rate compounding the situation.

A number of pupils at Montem have also uploaded YouTube videos describing their “shock” at the decision to close the school.

“You say this is joining two schools, but actually Montem’s long history will be eradicated,” said one child in the video.

Shaimae Mratty with her daughter Aaliyah

It was revealed in a document put together by Islington’s education officers they received more than 700 responses to their consultation about the merger, which ran throughout November and December. Ninety per cent of the 310 responses from Montem disagreed with the merger, while 66 per cent of those with children at Duncombe were in favour.

Islington explained that the proposal to close Montem rather than Duncombe came down to three reasons: more pupils live closer to Duncombe; there are fewer schools near to Duncombe; and it is on a marginally less polluted road.

The document added: “We are confident that the quality of education would not be negatively impacted by this proposal and by creating a viable two-form entry school we will ensure the amalga­mated school offers the best educational outcomes for all new and existing pupils.”