Understand
Parents oppose plans to close Kew Riverside Primary School in south-west London
Overview
Parents have gathered to protest against Richmond Council's proposal to close Kew Riverside Primary School due to falling student numbers and a projected budget deficit. The school currently has 87 pupils against a capacity of 210 and faces a £400,000 deficit by 2028. While the council states the proposals are at the consultation stage and driven by falling birth rates and funding reductions, parents have highlighted the devastating impact a closure would have on children, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities.
Key points
- Richmond Council is proposing to close Kew Riverside Primary School due to falling student numbers and a projected £400,000 budget deficit by 2028.
- The 210-capacity school currently has only 87 pupils enrolled.
- Parents staged a protest outside the school, describing the potential closure as devastating and disruptive, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
- Council leader Gareth Roberts stated that the proposals are currently in consultation, noting that falling birth rates and reduced core funding have created severe financial challenges.
- Primary school pupil numbers are declining nationally, with London experiencing the sharpest fall due to families moving away amid high living costs.