Westminster Conservatives are seeking urgent answers in response to the merger of St Stephen's and St Mary Magdalene's CE primary schools. We understand that numbers are falling in our primary schools. However, we are concerned there will not be an ongoing educational use of the St Stephen's school site.
When they amalgamated St Vincent de Paul and Westminster Cathedral primary schools in Pimlico, Westminster Conservatives put in detailed plans for further educational use of Westminster Cathedral School. It immediately became the Short Breaks Centre for children with special educational needs in the south of Westminster. It will also become a satellite of College Park Special School, providing up to 50 school places for children with Autism.
Labour-run Westminster Council has no detailed plans for St Stephen's when it closes. We are also concerned that staff cuts will lead to larger classes and a lower level of pastoral care than before the merger.
Cllr Lorraine Dean, Shadow Lead Member for Adult and Children's Services, said:
"Labour Westminster Council need to explain how they will ensure ongoing educational use of St. Stephen's. How will they protect children with SEND and ensure the quality of teaching isn't compromised? They also need to explain how this situation escalated to the point that closure will cost the local resident taxpayers £400,000."
Conservative Councillors have “called in” the decision, which will be debated on Monday, 12th June 2023.