‘We believe the merger of Duncombe and Montem primary schools is the best way forward’

• THE council is committed to giving our young people the best possible start in life, and that includes a first-class education.

We are proud that 98 per cent of schools and all special schools in Islington are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. This shows the excellent work of our teachers and teaching assistants across the borough.

However we know that councils across London, including Islington, are dealing with an excess of spaces in schools. This is caused by a range of factors, including falling birth rates, high rental costs and lower immigration.

The government’s school funding system means that schools receive money based on how many children they have. The fewer children in a school, the less funding schools have.

Sadly the government’s ideological decision to issue an academy order for Pooles Park School after it was rated “inadequate” has harmed our plan to tackle this issue and means that we now need to look at other solutions.

Our council has looked at schools across the borough, analysing all possible solutions and impacts on children in particular those with SEND, special educational needs and disability, and we believe the merger of Duncombe and Montem primary schools is the best way forward. This would allow us to keep the best parts of both schools and give the best possible education for our children.

Disappointingly, after we took that tough decision last week, opposition councillors have decided to play politics with the lives of our children by “calling-in” the decision.

This means the timeline will be delayed, the children, parents and teachers of both Duncombe and Montem will be left in limbo, while the councillors haven’t even put forward a reasonable, alternative solution.

The opposition Green group didn’t even turn up when we debated and voted on the council’s long-term plan for school places in October 2022.

While the opposition play political games, our Labour-run council will continue to put Islington’s children first and take sensible decisions for our borough.

CLLR MICHELLINE SAFI NGONGO
Executive Member for Children,
Young People & Families